White Fringetree

(Chionanthus virginicus)

Date Planted: 1999

Family: Oleaceae

Hardiness: Hardy in the Gorham ME area; Zone 4-9

Mature Dimensions: 15-25 feet tall with similar width

Habit: Large shrub or small tree with an open habit; often wider than high

Bark: Gray, finely ridged

Buds: Terminal-present, ovoid with 3 pairs of keeled scales; 1/8 inches long and green-brown

Leaves: Simple, opposite, margin entire, 3-8 inches long, ½ as wide; dark green and lustrous, narrow-elliptic, petiole downy and ½ to 1 inch long

Flowers: Dioecious, white; males with longer petals; 4 petals, 2 stamens, borne in 6-8 inch long feathery panicles; resembles an old man's beard

Fruit: Dark blue, fleshy egg shaped berry ½ to 2/3 inches long;
palatable for birds

Pests/Diseases: Virtually pest free

Reference Pages: Dirr M. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL