217 



FRINGE-TREE. 

 Chionanthus virginica, Linnaeus. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION— The genus to which the Fringe-tree belongs has only one other rep- 

 resentative. Both species are cultivated primarily for ornamental purposes. The generic name 

 of these trees, Chionanthus, refers to the white flowers which resemble snow. 



FOKM— A slender, small-sized tree nsnaUy attaining a height of 20 ft. with a diameter 

 of 8 inches, but may reach a height of 40 ft. with a diameter of 12 inches. Trunk usually 

 short, bearing numerous, stout, and ascending branches which form a rather deep, narrow 

 crown. 



BABK — On main trunk rather thin, scaly, reddish-brown; on branches light brown to orange, 

 and smooth. 



TWIGS — Rather stout, light brown tinged with green, somewhat angled, slightly hairy. 

 Marked by large, conspicuous and elevated leaf-scars and dark colored lenticels. 



BITDS — Opposite, ovoid, sharp-pointed, about i of an inch long, covered with about 5 pairs 

 of scales which Increase in length from the outer surface and ciliated on the margin. 



LEAVES — Simple, opposite, thickish, ovate, 4-8 inches long, 1-4 inches wide, wedge-shaped at 

 base, entire on margin, acute at apex, dark green above, pale and smooth below except along 

 the veins. 



LEAF-SCARS — Opposite, raised, semicircular in outline, upper side of margin partly surrounds 

 bud; bundle-scars solitary, large, located on cushions. 



FLOWEHS — Appear In May or June when leaves are just developing. Borne in drooping 

 panicles about 46 inches long: perfect, white, and slightly fragrant. The appearance of the 

 snow white flowers resembles fringe, hence the common name Fringe-tree. 



FRUIT — A berry, borne In loose clusters. Dark blue in color, about 1-3 of an Inch long, 

 and surrouu.Jed at the base by a persistent calyx. Stalks bearing the fruit may bear leaf like 

 bracts. Skin of fruit usually thick and stones usually thin. 



WOOD — Light brown In color, with rather wide and lighter colored sapwood; heavy, hard, 

 close-grained. Weighs about 40 lbs. per ctJbic foot. It is put to no special commercial use's. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS — The Fringe-tree, also known as Old Man's Beard, 

 White Fringe, American Fringe. Flowering Ash, and Snow Flower tree, is native to only a 

 few counties in the southern part of the State. This limited distribution, together with its 

 small size and its simple, opposite, entire-margined and thick leaves will enable one to dis- 

 tinguish it quite readily during the summer. The white fringe-like panicles of flowers will also 

 assist during a limited portion of early summer. In winter, the opposite, rather stout branches 

 bearing sharp-pointed, opposite buds covered with more than 4 pairs of scales, are also charac- 

 teristic. The berry. like fruit combined witb the opposite branching will distinguish this tree 

 from practically all others found in the State. 



RANGE — Southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania to Florida and Texas. It is 

 essentially a southern species. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— This tree is found locally in about 6 counties in the 

 southeastern part of the State. It is nowhere abundant, nor does it attain any large dimensions. 



HABITAT — Usually found in rich, moist soil; also frequents banks of streams, lakes and 

 swamps. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — The Fringe-tree is planted extensively for ornamental 

 pariioses as far north as Massachusetts. Its beautiful flowers and its attractive form recommend 

 it for planting in lawns and parks. The main objectionable feature is the fact that it retains 

 its foliage for a relatively short period during the summer, since the leaves are late to appear 

 and early to disappear. The poor quality and small size of the wood which it produces, to- 

 gether with its limited distribution and selective situations, do not recommend it for forestry 

 purposes. It can readily be grafted upon our common species of Ashes. This enables one to 

 develop it upon situations somewhat dry for the tree itself. 



