A very surprising thing learned today about a somewhat common wood

[Major Nikon]

7. Beats licking frogs

I did find some reference for this. Evidently some plants from the family, Bignoniaceae(the tree you described is a member), have properties similar to what you described.

Tanaecium nocturnum:

Family: Bignoniaceae

Genus: Tanaecium

Species: Nocturnum

TRADITIONAL EFFECTS: At lower doses the snuff has been reported to produce a mild drowsiness that overtakes the user. The mind easily wanders and deep introspection becomes difficult. At higher doses, the shamans claim that Koribo allows them to enter into the animal spirit world and communicate with beasts. The snuff also has a somnambulant effect, creating vivid dream states, sleep walking, semi-hypnogogic (half awake/half asleep) trances, and it may send the user into a mild hallucinatory dream world. Other reported effects include dizziness, headaches, and a desire to throw oneself into the nearest body of water (Voogelbreinder 2009, 325).

http://entheology.com/plants/tanaecium-nocturnum/