Let me try that again ( I have never posted a pic before!) [IMG]http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/flowergirl34/mysteryplant1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/flowergirl34/mysteryplant2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/flowergirl34/mysteryplant3.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you so much for all of the responses!! Now I have TONS of questions ;) About the shamel ash...we love how they look...BUT - They planted that tree about 12 feet from our master bedroom window and 8 feet or so from our back patio. We're concerned about size with it due to roots damaging the foundation/patio/walkway and the canopy damaging the roof. Will it get large enough that it'll need to be moved? If so, can we move it while it's still struggling or should we wait a while for it to develop more leaves? Sad to hear all this stuff about the eucalyptus, because it looks great in the spot where it is! I'd feel so guilty just chopping it down since it's one of the few trees we have on our property and we can't afford to replace it yet (front yard will be first!). If we top it, do we just lop off the canopy or is that something that needs to be handled by a professional? LOVE the willow acacia, but it's dragging on the ground! lol. We'll definitely need to de-shag him a bit. Again, we really appreciate all the help. Gardening/yardwork here is so fun!!

Came here during some research I'm trying to do on this subject because of some potential plans I have on planting one of a few eucalyptus species, and while there's a lot of good information/discourse here on variables concerning affected plants, mulch quality, effect on soil, and other factors that may affect plants such as water and root competition, I'm kind of noticing a pattern here and elsewhere: There's a lot of lumping eucalyptus into one umbrella category...Guys, there's like 700 something species in this genus; they are not all created equal. I think that also may be partially why there seems to be so much debate over the subject, two different people could be very well talking about two different species. I'm not saying everyone has to be a friggin botanist over it, but it really is helpful to know what species any given person is talking about. Maybe then we can start to notice a pattern with one given variety or another. Just my two cents. As an aside, I kind of think climate may have a non negligible part to play. I could definitely see these chemicals hanging around in the soil a lot differently in a more arid environment with lots of organic matter build up versus a wet rainy tropical environment where everything either leaches away or decays as fast as you can blink at it.

I'm a licensed contractor/flooring inspector and I've literally installed tens of thousands of sf of the Harmonics with no issues. I educate my clients by telling them how to clean it. No slopping water, no steam mops or spray mops like swiffer sprayers (hardwood has same rules). Site finished solid or engineered will have less issues just because of the finish covering the seams, but after awhile gaps may form so still need to be careful. It's not a tile! The old Pergo and Wilsonart was installed with a glue that sealed seams. You can buy a sealer if your wanting to slop water on it. Even if the glued had a bare spot in the seams it would still swell. A light vinegar/water solution will disinfect it but you need a light damp mop rinse so it won't etch the finish. Wilsonart also had a denser core material so even when they went click it had less water issues. Spot cleaners from Bona or Bruce are available. I'd put the Harmonics up against any laminate flooring, they all have HDF cores these days. And the 12mm stuff isin't any better. And as Montel said Harmonics is made by Quickstep, a top shelf manufacturer plus it has the best locking mechanism (UNICLIC) patented by it's parent corp UNILIN. No ones ever made a better locking mechanism, even 5G's are not as good IMO. Pergo has gone downhill. With the added bonus of the attached cushion the Harmnonics is a great deal. Right now Costco's running a $10 off a box. Can't beat that. Check the NALFA for certified manufacturers as all laminate is not created equal. NALFA http://nalfa.com/find-a-product/nalfa-certified-products/