Thanks for your help. I think you are correct after I read the description on line. There is a bug associated with this tree and I saw hundreds of them last fall and could not identify them. The reason we rake is because the leaves are falling on the Souza grass. We are not raking the ones by the trunk. I do believe I will remove this tree after reading about it as it has no good factors and is not recommended to be planted near your house.

I’m guessing boxelder ( acer negundo) I’m seeing some leaf drop on various trees too… It’s been dry at my house. Why are you raking? Not having the dropped leaves around the roots… stresses the trees. I’d put down a nice thick layer of mulch in my tree islands… Shade is very important here in the deep south… I wouldn’t give up my trees without a fight… Box elder is a very fast growing maple… If you eventually lose the tree… Consider replacing with popular or red maple… Both are fast-growing attractive native trees.