Chionanthus virginicus
(Fringe Tree)
Bark of a small Fringe Tree. Source.
A small tree reaching about 20′ at maturity. Crown is irregularly rounded.
Leaves: are opposite, simple, deciduous, oval, somewhat leathery about 4-8″ in length and about half as wide. Dark green above and paler below turning yellow in the fall.
Flowers: are white and fragrant and hang in loose clusters 4-8″ in length, four lobed white petals about 1″ wide, usually in mid March – June.
Fruit: usually clustered, dark blue drupes about 1″ long containing 1-3 oval seeds 1/3″ in length, ripening in late summer (on females).
Twigs: green early but tan or light brown later with prominent lenticles, leaf scars are raised. Buds are scaly, the terminal bud is somewhat round, chestnut colored with overlapping scales.
Bark: often multi-trunked with white bands, smooth when young but pale gray with small ridges and furrows as tree matures.
“Fringetree” by Katja Schulz is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree)” by Plant Image Library is licensed under CC BY 2.0