fringe tree

American  

noun

1. a shrub or small tree, Chionanthus virginicus, of the olive family, native to the southern U.S., bearing open clusters of white flowers with long, narrow petals.

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fringe tree British  

noun

1. either of two ornamental oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Chionanthus , of North America and China, having clusters of white narrow-petalled flowers

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Etymology

Origin of fringe tree

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

Example Sentences

“Do not plant Callery or Bradford pear. Instead, plant native alternatives, such as serviceberry, fringe tree, tupelo, or dogwood, among many others.”

From Washington Times

The Chinese fringe tree, I once discovered to my surprise, grows large and dense.

From Washington Post

I first planted a Chinese fringe tree, but it became too large and dense.

From Washington Post

Will the half-inch insect be a major fringe tree pest, or a minor one?

From Chicago Tribune

One of its most charming relatives is the little fringe tree of our own woods.

From Project Gutenberg