Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: American fringetree, fringe tree, white fringetree

Family: Oleaceae

Distribution: Southeastern United States

Habitat: rich, moist woods and hillsides, moist stream banks, limestone glade margins and rocky bluffs and ledges

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 3b -35 to -30 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental flowering tree

Comments: American fringetree is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded habit that typically grows 12-20' tall and most often occurs in rich, moist woods and hillsides, moist stream banks, limestone glade margins and rocky bluffs and ledges. Slightly fragrant, spring-blooming flowers which feature airy, terminal, drooping clusters 4-6" long of fringe-like, creamy white petals. Dioecious (separate male and female plants), but also may have perfect flowers on each plant. Male flowers are showier than female flowers. Fertilized perfect or female flowers give way to clusters of olive-like fruits which ripen to a dark, bluish black in late summer and are a food source for birds and wildlife. Wide, spear-shaped leaves to 8" long turn yellow in autumn.
Best grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of air pollution and adapts well to urban settings. Intolerant of prolonged dry conditions.