Chinese fringetree | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Olive
Family (botanic) Oleaceae
Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
Mature height 15-25 feet
Mature width 15-25 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites
Season of interest late spring, early fall, mid fall
Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
Shape or form Round
Growth rate Slow
Transplants well No
Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries
Wildlife Birds, Small mammals
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Japan, Korea, and China.

Bark color and texture:

The gray-brown bark exfoliates into strips.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Simple, opposite, narrow to elliptical leaves are 3 to 8 inches long with entire margins. It has lustrous medium green leaves with a paler underside and yellow fall color.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Fragrant, white flowers are borne in upright clusters at the end of branches in late spring. Male and female flowers are on separate plants (dioecious).