Pisonia

• Trees in the Pisonia genus produce fruits so sticky that they trap lizards, birds and insects, as well as stick to shoes and clothing. Historically, native Hawaiians used the glutinous fruits to trap native birds and take their feathers for use in cloaks. Species include the umbrella catchbird tree or papala kepau (P. umbellifera), which grows between 10 and 50 feet with a 20-foot spread. It has 12-inch-long, lustrous green foliage and blooms with aromatic pink and white flowers. The Australasian catchbird tree (P. brunoniana) shares many of the same features, but grows to 30 feet with a 10-foot spread and produces moderately fragrant, purple and white flowers.
  
  

Pittosporum

• The Pittosporum genus is named for its sticky seeds. These small evergreen trees are native to Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The haekaro (P. umbellatum) grows to almost 20 feet tall and has leathery, dark foliage. It produces umbrella-shaped clusters of pink flowers, followed by capsules that contain sticky seeds. The karo coastal pittosporum (P. crassofolium) grows to almost 30 feet tall. It has tough, hairy foliage and blooms with aromatic, magenta flowers followed by sticky seeds.
  
  

Acacia

• A few trees in the Acacia genus have sticky pyllodes, or broadened leaf petioles. These include the aptly named sticky wattle (A. howittii), an Australian native that grows from 16 to 26 feet tall. Sticky wattles have dull-green, small foliage and bloom with spherical, light yellow flowers in spring followed by seed pods. Their sticky, ½-inch-long phyllodes are especially noticeable when pruning. Other small acacia trees with sticky phyllodes include the varnish wattle (A. vernificlua), which grows to 20 feet tall.
  
  

Other Small, Sticky Trees

• The Pacific wax myrtle (Myrica California) grows to 30 feet tall with a 12-foot spread. This native evergreen has lustrous, dark-to-medium-green, sticky foliage and produces purple, wildlife-attracting fruits. It thrives in wet to dry soil and full sun or afternoon shade. The American mountain ash (Sorbus Americana) grows from 10 to 30 feet tall and produces smooth, sticky buds. This native deciduous tree has a short trunk and an open canopy. It has serrated foliage and produces bright red berries in autumn.
  
  The sticky hop bush (Dodonaea viscose) grows to 20 feet tall and has sticky, evergreen foliage. This Australian native tolerates drought and alkaline sites and grows in a compact form. Sticky hop bushes produce orange and pink samsaras in summer and fall.