They paid a fixed tax-rate of 25% on agricultural products, including wheat, barley, summer crops, goats and beehives, winter pasture/grass lands, in addition to occasional revenues; a total of 1,988 akçe.

This state of affairs ended when Sheikh Abd Allah al-Midyab, a respected leader of one the western Hauran's strongest families and a former Bedouin, moved to the village from Nawa and assumed control.

Bedouin raids ceased and Shajara developed considerably and prospered, though by the late 19th century most of the population were highly indebted to wealthy Damascene creditors.

[6] The inhabitants owned large flocks of sheep and cattle, which grazed in the village's considerable pasture grounds; the hilly area to its north contained numerous sheepfolds.

Shajara lacked significant fertile lands but had vegetable and melon gardens fed by the Ayn al-Aliya perennial spring to its west.