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This is a lovely small tree that will grow in a large percentage of the country and should be used more. Here is updated information about the plant with some tips on how to get it to grow in a variety of soils.
PROBLEMS: Pest problems are minimal. Few if any problems if the tree is planted in the proper locations. Occasionally has spider mites due to stress.
To discuss this newsletter or any other topic, tune in each Sunday 8am - 11am central time to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show.The call-in phone number is 1-866-444-3478. Listen on the internet or click here to find a station in your area.
Please share this newsletter with everyone in your address book and all your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help me spread the word on organics.
QUESTION: Fringe Tree. Pretty Tree! But, It doesn't seem to be sold by anybody near Fort Worth TX. We really like it, and can't find one. Do you have any recommendations? D. B. Fort Worth, TX
Fringe Tree Newsletter
This is a lovely small tree that will grow in a large percentage of the country and should be used more. Here is updated information about the plant with some tips on how to get it to grow in a variety of soils.
OTHER COMMON NAMES: OLD MAN’S BEARD, WHITE FRINGE TREE, FLOWERING ASH, SNOW FLOWER TREE, GRANDFATHER GRAYBEARD, GRANCY GRAYBEARD, POISON ASH
Chionanthus virginicus (key-oh-NAN-thus ver-JIN-eh-kus) Native to the South and Eastern U.S.
Chionanthus retusa (key-oh-NAN-thus ra-TUS-ah) Native to Asia
Oleaceae (Ash Family)
TYPE: Small deciduous to semi-evergreen tree
HEIGHT: 15-30 feet
SPREAD: 15-20 feet
FINAL SPACING: 15-35 feet in sun or shade
NATURAL HABITAT AND PREFERRED SITE: The native fringe tree likes the deep rich sandy acid soil conditions of east Texas and other parts of the South and East. but will grow fairly well in soil with a neutral pH such as Houston - USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. It prefers dappled shade and is often seen growing on the edges of forests. The Asia introduction is more adapted to alkaline soils.
IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION: A beautiful ornamental tree with slender trunks and an irregular rounded crown. Delicate, showy white flowers in the spring.
FLOWERS AND FRUIT: Flowers of fringe tree are spectacular. They are lacey, white, fragrant clusters that appear in the spring from March to June in delicate drooping panicles 5 to 10 inches. The flowers last for two weeks or more if a hard rain doesn’t knock them off. Both male and female flowers are beautiful but are usually on separate plants. The female plants have dark blue or purple clusters of berries or drupes that ripen late summer to fall. The fruit is eaten by many species of wildlife.
BARK: Brown to gray, usually thin and has fine texture even as it matures. Old stems will tend to get a silvery gray color.
FOLIAGE: Leaves are opposite, simple, about 4 to 8 inches long, 2 to 4 inches wide. They are very dark blue green above than the lighter color below with fuzz. They have a smooth margin. The base is a distinctive purple color. Fall color is clear yellow.
CULTURE: Native fringe tree is only adapted to sandy, acid soils like that in east Texas and will not adapt to the alkaline soils well at all. It likes moist soil and relatively high fertility. The Chinese variety (C. retusa) is not particular about soil type.
PROBLEMS: Pest problems are minimal. Few if any problems if the tree is planted in the proper locations. Occasionally has spider mites due to stress.
PROPAGATION: Natural germination of the fringe tree happens the second spring following the seed fall. Collect the fruits from July to September after they have turned purple but before they have fallen from the tree. Clean the seeds of pulp and keep in cold, moist storage until planting. Seedlings require light shade until well established. Fringe tree can also be propagated by cuttings, layering, grafting and budding; however, it is slow to root from cuttings. Stratification at 41 degrees in sand or peat for a year is recommended before spring planting.
INSIGHT: The fringe tree is considered deciduous but the leaves are persistent in the winter in the Gulf coast area. In most of the state the foliage turns a bright clear yellow and falls after the first hard frost.
To discuss this newsletter or any other topic, tune in each Sunday 8am - 11am central time to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show.The call-in phone number is 1-866-444-3478. Listen on the internet or click here to find a station in your area.
Please share this newsletter with everyone in your address book and all your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help me spread the word on organics.
Naturally yours,
Howard Garrett
QUESTION: Fringe Tree. Pretty Tree! But, It doesn't seem to be sold by anybody near Fort Worth TX. We really like it, and can't find one. Do you have any recommendations? D. B. Fort Worth, TX
ANSWER: If none of the garden centers will bring some in for you, fringe tree can be easily ordered on-line. Here's one of the companies that that could help you. http://www.naturehills.com/white-fringe-tree
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