All About the Fringetree:
Scientific Nomenclature: Chionanthus virginicus
Common Names: fringetree, white fringetree, old man's beard
Mature Height: 15–30 feet
Mature Spread: 15–30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Attracts Wildlife: Birds and small mammals
Messiness: Clusters of fruit mature and drop during summer and early autumn. Flowers bloom and drop in the spring. Leaves drop in autumn.
Shape: Round
Native to Kentucky: Yes
Preferred Soils: Tolerates occasionally moist clay but prefers well-drained, alkaline (>8.0pH) or neutral (6.0–8.0pH) loam/sandy soils with high organic matter content.
Screening: Not useful as a screening/privacy plant.
Drought Tolerance: Is tolerant of some drought.
Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Pruning: Very rarely needs to be pruned as it grows very slowly.
Climate Quick Facts:
Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one fringe tree will:
- Sequester ~579 pounds of CO2.
- Reduce stormwater runoff by 227 gallons.