Fringetree offers spring sensory delight
The white fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is a beautiful but mostly unknown native tree of Pennsylvania, including Butler County. Also called “old man’s beard,” it has been used in landscapes since the early days of our country. While there is no certain proof, some historians say that George Washington planted it at his Mount Vernon home.
It is currently gaining popularity among gardeners and landscapers for its beauty and adaptability. Fringetree makes a great specimen tree or can be planted in groupings for a delightful display in a landscape. Either way, if you plant it, it adds beauty to your yard.
Fringetree is a deciduous, slow-growing, multibranched shrub or small tree that grows to 12 to 20 feet. In late spring, before the leaves emerge, masses of drooping white flowers bloom at the tips of the branches, providing a showy display. The four-petaled flowers emit a light, sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilacs. Fringetrees are dioecious, meaning that their male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Trees with male flowers are showier because the flowers are larger and more abundant than those of trees with female flowers.” Leaves are shiny, oval and 3 to 8 inches long. Female fringetrees produce fruits that mature in late summer and early fall. Birds, including blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata), northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), enjoy feeding on the fruits. Fringetree is also the host plant for the laurel sphinx moth (Sphinx kalmiae).
Adaptable to many soil and light conditions, fringetree prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soil but tolerates drier areas. It can be grown in full sun but is happier with a little shade during hot summer days. Once established, fringetree is primarily carefree. Apply a slow-release acidifying fertilizer in early spring to encourage growth in young, newly planted trees. Complete necessary pruning immediately after flowering to allow branches to develop next season’s flower buds. Pruning lower branches gives the plant a more treelike appearance if desired.
There are few pests of fringetree; however, scale, mites or borers may occur if the tree is grown in a dry habitat or experiences protracted drought. There has been some concern that fringetree can be affected by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) because fringetree is a relative of the ash, but research has shown that fringetree appears to be more resilient, and the insect does not generally kill the entire tree. Removing infested branches or cutting the tree back to allow regrowth can rejuvenate the tree. Pesticides are also treatments; however, because fringetree is insect-pollinated, pesticides are not recommended.
While the fringetree is not deer-resistant, its compact size makes it suitable for planting closer to the house, which may offer some protection from hungry deer. Adding a fence around the tree while it gets established and grows tall enough to be less appealing can also help protect your investment.
There are several cultivars of fringetree available, including “Emerald Knight,” which is a male cultivar with a more erect form; “Prodigy,” which is smaller with a rounded growth habit; and “Spring Fleecing,” a small, male cultivar with abundant blossoms.
Consider adding this exquisite and unique native tree to your landscape, and with some care, it rewards you with many years of beauty. To learn more about fringetrees, visit Penn State Extension (https://extension.psu.edu/fringetree-an-enchanting-native-tree-for-the-home-landscape). If you have questions about fringetree or native plants for your landscape, call the Master Gardeners of Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Mary Alice Koeneke and Diane Walczak are Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardeners.
