What is a shamel ash tree?

A shamel ash tree is a type of leafy evergreen plant related to olive trees. This tree has light gray bark with diamond-shaped cracks and glossy, deep-green oval leaves.

Shamel ash trees are native to North and Central America. One of their common names is Mexican ash, reflecting their native range. The trees usually grow to between 40 and 55 feet high, but exemplary trees can reach heights of 70 or even 80 feet. Although they do not shed their leaves seasonally, they heavily shed leaves all year round, making them a bad choice of tree for home owners with pools or ponds on their property. The sap has been used as a folk remedy for ear infections.