Chionanthus retusus: Chinese Fringetree

Introduction

It is hard to think of a more beautiful, small, 20-foot-tall tree than Chinese fringetree when it is in full bloom. The pure white, fragrant flowers, emerging just as the dogwood flowers fade, hang in 4-inch-long, spectacular terminal panicles, which appear to cover the tree with snowy white cotton for two to three weeks. Flowers emerge at the terminal end of the spring shoot growth flush. This differs from the native fringetree, which flowers before leaves emerge. As with other white-flowered trees, Chinese fringetree looks best when viewed against a dark background. Female plants develop purple/blue fruits, which are highly prized by many birds. Fall color is yellow in northern climates, but is often an unnoticed brown in the South, with many leaves dropping to the ground a blackened green. The flowers can be forced into early bloom indoors.

General Information

Scientific name: Chionanthus retusus

Pronunciation: kye-oh-NANTH-us ree-TOO-sus

Common name(s): Chinese fringetree

Family: Oleaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 9B (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: sidewalk cutout (tree pit); parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100–200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; specimen; deck or patio; street without sidewalk; container or planter; tree lawn 3–4 feet wide; tree lawn 4–6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Description

Height: 15 to 20 feet

Spread: 10 to 15 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: round, vase

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: slow

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: ovate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: yellow

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: very showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round, oval

Fruit length: less than .5 inch, .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy

Fruit color: purple, blue

Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: brown, gray

Current year twig thickness: medium, thick

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: partial sun or partial shade, shade tolerant, full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; alkaline; occasionally wet; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: yes

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

It forms a round ball if left unpruned but can be trained into a small tree with lower branches removed. It is naturally multi-trunked and is usually found this way in nurseries but can be trained into a small, single-trunked specimen. It is probably one of the finest accents available in the nursery trade! It makes the perfect patio tree, or can be planted along streets if provided with occasional summer irrigation. Although reportedly difficult to transplant, Chinese fringetree can be successfully moved quite easily with proper care. It is usually grown and sold in containers.

Chinese fringetree looks best in a sunny spot sheltered from wind. The tree appears more attractive in the deep South when grown with several hours of shade, but blooms best in full sun, on moist, acid soil, and will gladly grow in even wet soils. Chinese fringetree grows very slowly, usually 4 to 10 inches per year, but can grow 1 foot per year if given rich, moist soil and plenty of fertilizer. Fringetree tolerates moderate drought but looks best if irrigated occasionally during extended summer drought.

Propagation is by seed, cuttings, or layering. A number of horticulturists have figured out how to reliably germinate Chionanthus virginicus. Perhaps the techniques apply to the Chinese fringetree.

Pests

It is generally pest free.

Occasionally mites will infest the foliage.

Diseases

It is generally disease free.

Leaf spots can be caused by several genera of fungi. Most years, the leaf spots are not a problem and there is no cause for control.

Powdery mildews of different genera may attack Chinese fringetree.

Stem canker can cause premature defoliation.