Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

▲▼ small trees

▲▼  flowers

▲▼  flowers

▲ leaves

Location on campus:  in triangle bed northeast of Hill Hall

Chionanthus virginicus: White Fringetree, Grancy Gray-beard, Old-man’s-beard

                                   ·         leaves opposite, simple, deciduous, oblong to obovate with entire margins; 3-8" long and ½ as wide; dark green and shiny above, pale and pubescent underneath

                                   ·         stems stout, green to brown, usually glabrous but may be pubescent when young

                                   ·         bark gray, ridged and furrowed on older trunks

                                   ·         grows 25-30' tall and wide; may be a shrub or small tree with spreading, open habit

                                   ·         flowers dioecious, white, 4-petalled  in drooping axillary panicles in mid to late spring; fruit is a dark blue droop

                                   ·         prefers full sun to part shade and deep, well-drained, fertile, moist, high-organic matter soil

                                   ·         slow growth rate