This is the Kapok or Ceiba tree. It is very unusual to be in California. It is common to South America. I found it on a hike through a Basil Hyponics Farm. In prehistoric times the giant sloth loved to eat this. Bees do not pollinate this it is done from bats and their dung. Crazy. It also is called the Tree Of Life. The Maya Culture believed that each kiss like appearing on the bark was a soul in life and after death. They believed the only way to reach heaven after death was in the highest pod or Hershey kiss. It is a huge beautiful tree but I sure would not want to climb it. Its bark is worse than its bite!