Drunken Tree

The spotting location is right for this species if it is native. But many similar exoctic trees are planted for landscape interest. If we had a picture of the leaves or fruit...

Auntnance I concur! its the hercules club - (in fact I have one in my back yard and you have identified it) thanks

Or maybe Hercules' club: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanthoxylum_clava-herculis

I agree with MickGrant, It looks like the trunk of a drunken tree

Suggest Kapok tree, Ceiba

Oh, I know this one! Don't know what it's called, so I'll be interested to see the ID, but we have this here in Portugal too. Has beautiful big pink flowers for either one period or two during the year. But I agree - not a tree I'd like to shake hands with! :D