Chinese Fringe Tree

The Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus) is a small flowering ornamental tree. Its broad crown with a wide-spreading habit becomes covered in flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are delicate and white, almost cloud-like, with fringe-type petals that resemble snow falling to the ground when they drop in early summer. The leathery textured bright green leaves emerge soon after and eventually turn to gold-yellow in the fall. This tree also has intriguing bark that adds to the landscape in the winter. Exfoliating and gray-brown colored, this bark becomes ridged and furrowed with age.

The Chinese Fringe Tree is native to China, Korea, and Japan. This tree will look good in any bare area that needs a tree. Its tolerance to air pollution makes it a great choice as a city tree. It can also provide adequate shade with its broad canopy. Plant it in full sunlight or partial shade. Its leaves will be a little brighter when in shadier spots but the flowers come on best when under full sun. It is a low maintenance tree and is easily grown in most locations. It is quite adaptable to many soil types.