CHIOANTHUS VIRGINICUS – Fringetree
The Fringetree is a deciduous native shrub or small tree, found in the Eastern United States, that has a spreading (wide) habit
[Elementary School students]
Did you know?
Who used this tree for medical purposes?
* Native Americans used this tree to treat skin issues by making a tea of it.
What four legged animal likes to eat this tree?
* Deer like to eat parts of the tree.
The fruit is attractive to who?
* Songbirds use the fruit for food.
Leaf
https://bernheim.org/explore/arboretum/bernheim-select/fringe-tree/
[Middle School students]
Habitat (where it likes to live)
* Well drained soils in full sun and also in wet soils
* Location: Eastern and central North America (Zone 3 to 9)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionanthus_virginicus
Requirements (what it needs to live)
* Water: Medium to wet
* Maintenance: Low
* Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree, Rain Garden
Identification (what it looks like)
* One of the first trees to send out flowers in the spring
* Gray bark on younger trees and darker gray with furrows on older trees
* Twigs – has a smell
[High School students]
Habit (how it grows)
* Height: 12 to 20 feet
* Spread: 12 to 20 feet
* Bloom Time: May to June
* Bloom Description: A creamy white flower
* Sun: Full sun to part shade
* Tolerate: Wet Soil, Air Pollution
* Fall: Good fall color
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c120
Flowers:
http://treepicturesonline.com/fringe-552.jpg
Berry
http://www.hobbyseeds.com/chionanthus-virginicus-white-fringe-tree-2.html
Leaf
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/chionanthus-virginicus/
Tree
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/hgic1027.html
Suggested Use (where to plant it):
* Rain Gardens – To look good and help shade other plants
* Parks – Seth Hand Park
* Wooded areas – For naturalizing
* Gardens - Attract birds into the yard
References:
- Clemson - http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/hgic1027.html
- Missouri Botanic Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c120
- Hobby Seeds -http://www.hobbyseeds.com/chionanthus-virginicus-white-fringe-tree-2.html
- Tree Pictures - http://treepicturesonline.com/fringe-552.jpg
- Bernheim - https://bernheim.org/explore/arboretum/bernheim-select/fringe-tree/
- NC Extension - https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/chionanthus-virginicus/
- Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionanthus_virginicus