File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11 (1901) (20316415849).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv11pennx (find matches)
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Dept. of Forestry
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : The Department : WM. Stanley Ray, state printer of Pennsylvania
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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PLATE CXXVII. FRINGE-TREE 1. A flowering branch with immature leaves, x J. 2. A fruiting branch with mature leaTcs, x J. 3. A winter twig, x J. 4. Section of a winter twig, natural size. 223 FRINGE-TREE Chionanthus virginica, Linnaeus aENUS DESCEIPTION—The genus to which the Fringe-tree belongs has only one other rep- resentative, the Chinese Fringe (Chionanthus retusa, Paxton), a native of eastern Asia. Both species are cultivated primarily for ornamental purposes. The generic name of these trees, Chionanthus, refers to the white flowers which resemble snow. FO&li—A slender, small-sized tree usually attaining a height of 20 ft. with a dianieter of 6-8 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. BARK-—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. BUDa-Opposite, ovoid, sharp-pointed, about i of an inch long, covered with about 5 pairs of scales which increase in length from the outer towards the center, and are 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-SOARS—Opposite, raised, semi-circular In outline, upper side of margin partly surrounds bod; bundle-scars solitary, large, located on cushions. FLOWERS-nAppear in May or June when leaves are just developing. Borne In drooping panicles about 4-6 inches long; perfect, white, and slightly fragrant. The appearance of the snow ^rtilte flowers resembles fringe, hence the common name Fringe-tree. FRUIT—A berry, borne in loose clusters. Dark blue In color, about M of an Inch long, and surrounded 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 Ughter colored sapwood; heavy, hard, close- grained. Weighs about 40 lbs. per cubic foot. It is put to no special commercial uses. DISTINGinSHING- GHARACTERISTICS-^The Fringe-tree also known as Old Man's Beard, White Fringe. American Fringe, Flowering Ash, and Snow Flower tree, is native to on y a few counties In the southern part of the State. This limited dlstribut^n, t^^^*'^" ^/f."«. ^J^" size and Its simple, opposite, entire-margined and thick leaves will enable one to distinguish it quite readily 5uring^he summer. The white fringe-like panicles of ^^7" ^*" .^^r^"^*^^^^^^^^ during a limited portion of eariy summer. In winter, the opposite, rather ^^°^\^^^^^ bearing sharp-pointed, opposite buds covered with more than 4 ^^^^-^^^^'^^ ^^^ ^^^^l^ istlc. The berry-like fruit combined with the opposite branch will distinguish this tree from practically all others found In the State. RANGE—Southtni New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania to Florida and Texas. It is essentially a southern species. DIBTRIBimON IN PENNSYLVANIA-Thls tree Is found locally in about 6 counties In the souS^ part of the State. It is nowhere abmidant, nor does it attain large dimensions. HABITAT-Usually found in rich, moist soil; also frequents banks of streams, lakes and swamps. IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES-^he Fringe-tree is planted extensively for ornamental m^Tas fM^north as Massachusetts. Its beautiful flowers and Its ««ractlve form recommend IJTr planting In lawns and parks. The main objectionable feature Is the fact that t retains its Collage for a relatively short period during the smnmer. since the leaves are late to appear -nrt J.rtJ t« dlMnoear The pooV quality and small size of the wood which It produces, to- ler^th^ts'TlXd di^ribS^ilU Llective situations, do "ot recomn^nd itjor ' - try 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.

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