White Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

White Fringetrees are small trees, native to Eastern North America. It may have a single trunk or have multiple stems. It thrives in consistently moist soils, therefore it’s not drought tolerant. Leaves are green and ovate in shape. It produces drooping panicles of fragrant, white flowers, which are visited by native bees. White Fringetrees are dioecious, meaning a single tree will have either all male or female flowers, though, they may occasionally produce perfect flowers. Flowers typically stay in bloom for 2 weeks. Fertile female or perfect flowers are replaced by blue to black drupes. Each fruit contains a stone. A variety of songbirds will feed on these drupes. The foliage of this tree is a host plant to several native moth species.