Thanks so much to everyone. Janet, I thought that might be a rubus, but then I believed that was wishful thinking after second guessing myself. The irony is that I told my husband I thought it was either a blackberry or raspberry, but then I even added, "I don't know... probably not if my luck holds." ;) Jeannie, I appreciate the link. :) I don't mind having it, but it's in the dead center of the yard! Either I want to move it to the back where I'm going to create a little flower garden or give it to someone. You're definitely right though. There is no doubt that it's a Century. Does anyone have any advice about that Tallow? I did some research yesterday and that Tallow tree is listed in the top 10 most invasive plants in Alabama. :( It's too bad because it really is lovely. I can easily see though how it would spread because those seeds fall off by the bazillion. Again, thank you to everyone.

I though possibly some kind of Euc, but I've never seen long, thin, almost "tassel" like flower clusters on a Euc. There are actually many species of Acacia with "sickle" type leaves, there is even a special name for this shape of leave, starts with "p" but I can't find it again. But then again, the bark I see in the background looks Euc-like to me. If the OP found any seed pods, that would be a good clue, acacias have long, thin, flat pods typical of legumes, Eucs have a small, hard, woody capsule. Really, I'm a public menace when it comes to trying to ID a tree half the world away in a climate nothing like mine -- well, at least my heart is in the right place, trying to be helpful. :-)

Drew, as it happens I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. It is not a Corymbia at all, but Eucalyptus cladocalyx (sugar gum). Apparently it is common in California, but being native to South Australia, I've never seen one. I checked it with my expert friend Gus from Spain on Hardy Eucalyptus Board. The capsules are actually too narrow for C. maculata, even though they are the same general shape. Apparently the buds of sugar gum grow in clusters of 7 or more from a single point, which then becomes a peduncle as it grows out from the stem. The bark is also not a perfect match with C. maculata, being not as closely mottled. Here is a useful link:http://bp2.blogger.com/_3uQiDL3c53s/SJNAmFMNTRI/AAAAAAAAAzM/9qSdoNoarn4/s1600-h/GIT_Forestry_Eucalyptus_Identification_Sugar_Gum.jpg

G'day Cranebill, Sorry, but the news is bad for striking cuttings of Eucalypts,and also wattles. Tissue culture, but not cuttings. Seed is usually quite successful, depending whether western or eastern Euc. Any idea of the species. Ficifolia or caesia are common ornamentals with coloured flowers Antho