I'm not sure if this is the right answer based on your question but cicades flies leave their exoskeleton on trees when they "molt" and become adults. Much like a catepillar becomming a butterfly.
June bugs also display this.
A Cicada.
Horse chestnut.
A bug that's green as leaves and green like leaves
Sumac
A stink bug.
Yes
to protect it
no they don't
its a bug
Box Elder (Bug and Tree) I went to Box Elder High School. :-)
A cicada I think. Leaves a brown shell. Very common in GA.
A Tulip Tree has the largest leaves.