A white fringe tree will fill your yard with feathery and fragrant spring flowers.
However, youre more likely to see this elegant woody plant in the wild orbotanical gardensthan in your neighborhood.
Grow your own white fringe tree with the tips in this guide.
Credit: Susan A. Roth
Be cautious when planting white fringe trees adjacent to other larger trees.
Water thoroughly, pressing down on the soil to remove any air pockets.
Light
White fringe trees preferfull sunto part shade, making them ideal for planting in urban lots.
They will grow in part shade, but the flower production is minimal.
They prefer loamy, fertilesoils with good drainage.
In the wild, they can often be found on rocky ridges.
Keep newly established plants well-watered, especially in hotter regions.
These plants thrive in the humid conditions of the South and Midwest.
Treatment for ash borers requires systemic controls and should be administered by an arborist or horticulture professional.
Harvesting seed from the fruit of an established tree is the best way to propagate white fringe trees.
It doesn’t reproduce well bystem cuttings.
Harvest the fruit of the female tree when it turns purple in July to September.
Winter will supply the necessary cold stratification.
Mark the seedbed, as the seeds won’t germinate the following spring but rather the spring after that.
White Fringe Tree Companion Plants
White fringe trees grow well among most other garden plants.
Likewise, their fruits are cherished by birds and quickly eaten when available.
However, the birds can be messy!
White fringe trees prefer to be planted in a given location and left alone.
Handle home-grown seedlings and purchased potted plants with care to avoid damaging their root systems.
