Is this plant a bush, tree, or overgrown wild shrub?

Whatever it is, it's never bloomed, and would probably bush out and grow taller than the house if I let it! It's leaves are as rough as sandpaper! I thought it might have been a Rose of Sharon, but in 20 yrs, it's never produced a bloom. It's very hardy - not minding the Texas sun and heat and not caring if it gets watered or not! I recently dug up the dirt all around it to see how hard it would be to remove it, gave up on the idea, and replaced the dirt with rocks. It didn't care about that either!
  12 answers
  • Ninfa Ninfa on Aug 06, 2015
    It looks like Salal Tips, florist use it as a filler for cut flowers. I'm not sure so Google it & check.
  • Stephania Potter Stephania Potter on Aug 06, 2015
    We had salal growing all over our property. It is NOT SALAL. Is it a Beech?
  • Cheryl McElhaney Cheryl McElhaney on Aug 07, 2015
    I call it tree weeds,and dig it out.esp.if it has a strong smell !!!
  • Becky Pilkenton Becky Pilkenton on Aug 07, 2015
    This is a Witch-hazel a bush or small tree...where witch-hazel comes from.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 07, 2015
    It doesn't look anything resembling rose of Sharon I would pull it out completely before it takes over your space
  • K lord K lord on Aug 07, 2015
    It is not a rose of Sharon. It is what we commonly referred to as trash trees. Some of these trees have berries to stay in everything they fall on some do not.
  • CK CK on Aug 07, 2015
    I'm not familiar with your specific area but it does look like a volunteer tree to me.. ...one that grew there from seed possibly planted by a bird's droppings. If you don't mind it there, keep it trimmed to the size of the area. If it's a bother, you may have to dig waaaaaaaaaaaaay down to get to most of the root to eradicate it.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Aug 08, 2015
    Sounds like it's a winner, whatever it is. I'd be happy to have such a hardy item. Would just prune the top if it is getting too high.
  • Nola Baker-Ramirez Nola Baker-Ramirez on Aug 10, 2015
    After two days of thoroughly researching all of your suggestions, I think I've come to the conclusion I originally started out with - an unidentified trash tree! Thank you all so much for your responses! And Marion, I agree. It fills a void, so I just keep it trimmed!
  • Teresa Mayfield Teresa Mayfield on Aug 10, 2015
    I'v e seen these. Leaves are very abrasive. Not Texas Ash?
  • Elizabeth Sagarminaga Elizabeth Sagarminaga on Aug 13, 2015
    Such a lovely shrubs that acts as a natural fence and I can see how it would add to the privacy and enhance the beauty of your yard. This idea is surely going to add a lot to your garden enhancing its elegance. This way your garden will have a colorful and unique look.
  • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on May 14, 2016
    If no one has been able to tell you take a leaf along with the pictures to a nursery and see if they can identify it.