Tassel Tree (Chionanthus retusus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Tassel tree, more often called Chinese fringetree in U.S. gardens, is an Asian tree planted in gardens and along streets. Its narrow white flowers cover the branches in late spring and resemble those of the native American fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus).

Appearance

Growth form: A large shrub or small tree, usually 10–20 ft (3–6 m) tall in gardens, but it can reach 30–40 ft (9–12 m) in ideal spots. Young trees have peeling bark; older trees develop ridges.
Flowers: Fragrant white flowers with narrow, strap-like petals form fringe-like clusters about 4 in (10 cm) long.
Flowering time: Blooms in late spring. Near Boston, the show runs from late May to mid-June.
Fruit: Fruit-bearing trees produce small dark blue fruits about ½ in (1–1.5 cm) long. Around Boston they ripen from late September to October.

Look-alikes

American fringetreeChionanthus virginicus

Both have narrow white petals. Chinese fringetree often grows into a more regular small tree and leafs out earlier in New England; American fringetree tends to be looser and leafs out later.

Why they get mixed upBoth fringe trees bloom white in spring.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
parks
street plantings
Range: Native to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan. In the U.S., it is planted as an ornamental tree, including in North Carolina and Massachusetts.
Preferred conditions: It grows in 5a–9b. It does best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil, and it tolerates clay.
Flowering: Flowers May–Jun
Flowers May–Jun · Fruit Sep–Oct

Life cycle

Reproduction: Some trees bear only male flowers, while others bear flowers with working male and female parts. Fruit forms on the latter trees.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: U.S. growers offer the narrow, upright cultivar 'Tokyo Tower'.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The genus name Chionanthus means "snow flower" in Greek, a nod to its white blooms.

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