Fringe Tree

In summer you'll enjoy a neat, oval-shaped canopy of dark green leaves. The fruit and flowers don't leave behind a mess to clean up, making fringe tree care simple. You don't have to worry about planting a fringe tree under power lines. Their short stature means they won't interfere with the lines.

How big do fringe trees get?

Mature Height/Spread. Native white fringetrees remain small, maturing at 12 to 20 feet in height and 12 to 20 feet in width. Trees in the wild may be taller. Fringetrees naturally grow with multiple stems, but can be trained to single trunks.

What is fringe tree good for?

Fringetree is a small tree or shrub. The dried root and bark are used to make medicine. People take fringetree for liver and gallbladder disorders, including gallstones. They also take it to stimulate bile flow, relieve fluid retention, and as a tonic.

What does a fringe tree smell like?

If you enjoy a nice fragrance, the flowers can perfume your garden with their sweet, lilac-like smell. Fringe trees are low-maintenance with medium watering requirements and few pest or disease problems. They also tolerate air pollution and adapt well to urban settings.

Do fringe trees have deep roots?

The root system is woody, relatively shallow, and branching. This woody plant reproduces by reseeding itself. Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and deep loam to thin rocky soil.

Is fringe tree toxic to dogs?

Loropetalum (common name Chinese fringe flower) is not listed by the FDA or the ASPCA as a poisonous plant. This plant is in the Hamamelidaceae or witch hazel family of plants. Witch hazel leaves, flowers, and stems may cause constipation, vomiting, or nausea if eaten.

Does fringe tree grow fast?

It grows very slowly, usually 6 to 10 inches per year, but can grow a foot per year if given rich, moist soil and plenty of fertilizer.

Should you prune a fringe tree?

Chinese Fringe tree needs minimal maintenance. Prune in winter to shape and to remove dead wood. Cut off lower branches to preserve a standard form (one trunk instead of multi-trunked).

How hardy is a fringe tree?

Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9. Fringe tree grows slowly, under ideal conditions possibly 8 to 10 feet in 10 years. Fringe tree is adaptable to a variety of light conditions and soils. Trees grow well in full sun to partial shade on moist, rich, well-drained soils.

Is fringe tree toxic?

According to the FDA and ASPCA, fringe trees are not toxic to us or pets, so they're safe to have in your garden. Furthermore, this tree belongs to the Hamamelidaceae or witch hazel family, and neither is classified as poisonous or toxic.

Do fringe trees attract bees?

Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) produces white flowers in April and May and attracts butterflies and bees. It also is a host.

Are fringe trees fragrant?

The fringe tree's most outstanding feature is the fragrant, strap-like, white flowers that are borne in 6 to 8 inch long fleecy panicles in late May to early June.

What does a fringe tree look like in the winter?

In autumn the leaves turn yellow. The white fringe tree is deciduous and loses its leaves in the winter. In warmer seasons, its leaves are elliptical shape.

When should you plant a fringe tree?

Reaching about 20 to 25 feet tall and wide, this fragrant tree attracts birds. It grows wild in the southeastern United States, and it can do well when planted in spring or early summer and its roots have time to develop before winter weather occurs.

Can you eat fringe tree berries?

There are female and male Fringetrees and the males have slightly showier flowers, but the female plants produce clusters of 1/2 inch to 2/3 inch long wonderful blue black , olive-like fruit (drupes) that mature in late summer and early fall. While not edible to humans, these fruits are attractive to birds.

Is a fringe tree an evergreen?

The fringe tree is a spring-flowering deciduous ornamental tree that has not yet attained the popularity of the more common dogwoods, magnolias and flowering cherries.

What can I plant with a fringe tree?

Fringe tree is an excellent companion to Spigelia marilandica, Pachysandra procumbens, Philadelphus inodorus, Carpinus caroliniana, Clematis viorna, Scutellaria serrata, Rhododendron periclymenoides and Penstemon smallii.

Is there a dwarf fringe tree?

Chionanthus pygmaeus, dwarf fringetree, is an intriguing species native to Florida. It is similar to C. virginicus, though smaller in stature, reaching only about 4' tall, and is therefore a good choice for small gardens.

Is white fringe tree invasive?

in North America. In 2014, it was reported that EAB had infested white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L. [Lamiales: Oleaceae]) in Ohio and was since found to have infested this species across its invasive range.

Are fringe trees deer resistant?

Are Fringe Trees Deer Resistant? The Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus) is noted to be very deer resistant and is a great choice for areas of high deer pressure. The American Fringe tree is also deer resistant but in extremely cold and long winters deer will occasionally browse the lower branches of this tree.