Fringe Tree Chionanthus virginicus
MaryAnn Fink,
MaryAnn Fink,
Conservation Specialist
Copyright 2010
Fringe tree is a stout spring flowering Missouri native tree, commonly called Old Man’s Beard. What many don’t know is he is uncommonly handsome! He rivals any readily available flowering ornamental tree on any lot with his “sigh inspiring” good looks.
Perhaps it is his common name to blame. It is rare to see anyone’s Grandpa or even a realistic Santa Claus clone with facial hair that compares with Fringe tree’s beautiful silken white froth!
He outshines the fanciful collector choices obtained through horticulture’s “catalog candy” shopping and the way too common bread and butters sold in ridiculous quantities during spells of “asphalt fever”. (See warning below)
He does have some interesting habits and notables. He preferred to be maintained as a multistemed specimen. His posture is casual with a rounded shoulders profile and low branches that offer just enough shrug to let you know he is easy going and congenial even in less than best circumstances. In flower, his sweetness pleases more than the eye. His fragrance is light, not overpowering and wonderfully fresh.
He is capable even in his youth of supporting a frothy mass of fragrant white flowers. In nature he is found mixing it up in low moist woods particularly near stream banks. He is most noticeable in spring dotting sunny hillsides or balancing precariously on rocky ledges. Birds seem to relish the fall fruit that develops on the hard to find female trees. They are usually sparsely present and partially hidden by the yellowing foliage.
His natural range which extends from southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania south to Florida, and westward to Texas shows he is both attractive and functional. A choice companion for sites with “issues” especially landscapes needing erosion control and rain gardens needing structure!
Care Rating: 1 He seldom needs any type of pruning, and requires minimal water once established (though he looks better, flowers more and seems to produce and hold more leaves when not drought stressed repeatedly.) Although extended drought or extreme dry conditions will effect his performance, he does "tolerate" less than perfect sites and air pollution. He is likely to adapts to city life with ease- just don’t leave him thirsty all the time. Watch for scale and borers particularly if he is grown in dry locations!
(Uncommon Rant-If you are sensitive about where you shop or your plant knowledge- call for help and don't continue reading- just know I am here and willing to offer advice.)
Fringe tree is a stout spring flowering Missouri native tree, commonly called Old Man’s Beard. What many don’t know is he is uncommonly handsome! He rivals any readily available flowering ornamental tree on any lot with his “sigh inspiring” good looks.
Perhaps it is his common name to blame. It is rare to see anyone’s Grandpa or even a realistic Santa Claus clone with facial hair that compares with Fringe tree’s beautiful silken white froth!
He outshines the fanciful collector choices obtained through horticulture’s “catalog candy” shopping and the way too common bread and butters sold in ridiculous quantities during spells of “asphalt fever”. (See warning below)
He does have some interesting habits and notables. He preferred to be maintained as a multistemed specimen. His posture is casual with a rounded shoulders profile and low branches that offer just enough shrug to let you know he is easy going and congenial even in less than best circumstances. In flower, his sweetness pleases more than the eye. His fragrance is light, not overpowering and wonderfully fresh.
He is capable even in his youth of supporting a frothy mass of fragrant white flowers. In nature he is found mixing it up in low moist woods particularly near stream banks. He is most noticeable in spring dotting sunny hillsides or balancing precariously on rocky ledges. Birds seem to relish the fall fruit that develops on the hard to find female trees. They are usually sparsely present and partially hidden by the yellowing foliage.
His natural range which extends from southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania south to Florida, and westward to Texas shows he is both attractive and functional. A choice companion for sites with “issues” especially landscapes needing erosion control and rain gardens needing structure!
Care Rating: 1 He seldom needs any type of pruning, and requires minimal water once established (though he looks better, flowers more and seems to produce and hold more leaves when not drought stressed repeatedly.) Although extended drought or extreme dry conditions will effect his performance, he does "tolerate" less than perfect sites and air pollution. He is likely to adapts to city life with ease- just don’t leave him thirsty all the time. Watch for scale and borers particularly if he is grown in dry locations!
(Uncommon Rant-If you are sensitive about where you shop or your plant knowledge- call for help and don't continue reading- just know I am here and willing to offer advice.)
Warning: Asphalt Fever: This type of spring fever can be contagious! It is usually caught in the crowd flow when passing through parking lots of discount stores filled with florist plants, heat intolerant annuals and spring flowering trees and shrubs.
The fever emerges annually with the bloom of forsythia, is rampant by the time dogwoods bloom and peaks in late spring. It is virtually uncontrollable, resulting in bouts of purchase frenzy. CURRENTLY NO IMMUNIZATION IS AVAILABLE!
Best preventative practice includes strong doses of shopping advice from local reputable nursery professionals. They are familiar with fever, understand its effects and although they themselves are not immune, they can offer preventative advice that can temper and help manage the unnecessary side effects of the fever, most notably the resulting unfortunate landscape!
Additional cautionary measures: Buyer bewares! Although there is always new strains (not really) detected, the sickness is frequently the same. It causes impulsive purchases that victimizing young and elderly home owners and horticulturally “weak” land managers.
The fever’s after-effects are frequently permanent, resulting in investment loss, buyer’s remorse when the poor quality is realized and low product survivability- the landscape can be forever compromised!
The fever emerges annually with the bloom of forsythia, is rampant by the time dogwoods bloom and peaks in late spring. It is virtually uncontrollable, resulting in bouts of purchase frenzy. CURRENTLY NO IMMUNIZATION IS AVAILABLE!
Best preventative practice includes strong doses of shopping advice from local reputable nursery professionals. They are familiar with fever, understand its effects and although they themselves are not immune, they can offer preventative advice that can temper and help manage the unnecessary side effects of the fever, most notably the resulting unfortunate landscape!
Additional cautionary measures: Buyer bewares! Although there is always new strains (not really) detected, the sickness is frequently the same. It causes impulsive purchases that victimizing young and elderly home owners and horticulturally “weak” land managers.
The fever’s after-effects are frequently permanent, resulting in investment loss, buyer’s remorse when the poor quality is realized and low product survivability- the landscape can be forever compromised!
The part that grieves me the most is when I get reports that the so called " hypnotic " flowers have fallen off, usually within a week of planting. This usually happens just as the fever subsides. The victims do have spells of nausea when they realize that all the dedicated space and the work/ time spent for only a week or two of flowers. There are also occasional reports of unexplainable and sometimes reoccurring memories and prayerful vigilance held while waiting (forever) for a repeat performance!
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