Common Name: Shamel Ash

General Information

Fraxinus uhdei is an evergreen tree with a large canopy; it can grow up to 37 metres tall though is generally more in the range of 15 - 18 metres[, , , , ]. The straight bole can be 60cm in diameter, with one 54 year old tree reported to have a bole 110cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its good quality timber and for medicinal use (especially in Mexico). It is planted to provide shade and has potential for use in forestry[]. It is grown as an ornamental and is used in reforestation projects[].
Fraxinus uhdei is a widespread and abundant species which grows in a range of habitat types. It is fast growing, has a high survival rate, and there are currently no major threats for this species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

C. America - Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala to Mexico.

Habitat

Forests and forest edges. A native of alluvial soils, growing along streams at elevations from 800 - 2,000 metres in Guatemala[, ]. Often found on sites such as abandoned pastures in Mexico[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics to the tropics. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall can vary from 800 - 3,000mm, with a distinctive dry season of several months. The mean temperature varies from 15 - 20°c in the cool season to 20 - 25°c in the hot season. Frosts are infrequent and light[]. This species can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures down to around -8°c[].
Plants are shade tolerant, at least when young, requiring more sun as they grow older[, ]. Prefers moist soil, growing best on alluvial and colluvial soils and poorly on eroded slopes and dry ridges[].
The tree is planted for ornament and has a prolific rate of seed production - the seeds are dispersed by the wind. It can become invasive, colonizing disturbed areas in forests and precluding the establishment of native plants. The large canopies can shade out most understory species and prevent forest succession[].
The plant usually has a good rate of growth, averaging height increases of around 1 metre per year when young, gradually decreasing as the tree gets older. Bole diameter increase remains fairly constant at around 1cm a year. In a favourable site in Hawaii 36 year old trees were around 30 metres tall with a bole of 61cm diameter[].
Root growth is shallow and vigorous; it can be destructive to pavements[, ].
Young trees generally coppice well[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are febrifuge. A decoction, combined with lime juice (Citrus aurantiifolia), is used in the treatment of fevers caused by malaria, typhus etc[]. An infusion is used to treat cough and rabies[]. The leaves are also said to be useful in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea, intestinal infections, diabetes, rheumatism, ear pain, weakness or anaemia[]
Applied externally, the leaves are combined with salt to make a wash for treating external wounds[].

The bark is astringent, febrifuge. A decoction, combined with lime juice (Citrus aurantiifolia), is used in the treatment of fevers caused by malaria, typhus etc[]. A decoction of the bark, combined with Citrus aurantium (bark?), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and palmita is used in the treatment of bile[]. An infusion is used to treat cough and rabies[]. The bark is also said to be useful in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea, intestinal infections, diabetes, rheumatism, ear pain, weakness or anaemia[]
The bark, macerated in water and sometimes combined with lime juice, is applied topically to combat skin problems such as eczema, itching[]. The bark is combined with salt to make a wash for treating external wounds[].

The ethanolic extract of the branches have shown antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis[]

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is fast growing and has a high survival rate. It is commonly cultivated and used in reforestation programs at higher elevations in tropical regions[].
Fraxinus species in general are gross feeders with an extensive, fibrous root system, which makes transplanting easy, but means that other species will often not grow well if planted nearby, especially if they are shallow rooted[],

Other Uses

The wood is a blonde to pale chestnut brown colour. It is straight-grained, hard, heavy, tough, strong, easy to saw, plane and machine. It has a range of uses, including to make baseball bats, tennis rackets, craft work, kitchen utensils, furniture and trim. It is also considered to be suitable for construction, flooring, mine props, shoe lasts and veneer[, ].

Propagation

Seed - usually germinates in 40 or more days from sowing[]. The seed can be sown in a shady position in a nursery seedbed and either transplanted to individual containers when 5 - 10cm tall or grown on in the nursery bed and planted out bare-rooted. Seedlings should be hardened to full sun before planting out[].
Seed can be stored at 5°c after being dried to 7 - 10% moisture content[].

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