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

The flowers of trees give names to tulip tree, silver-bell tree, and fringe tree.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

No garden that can have a fringe tree should be without it.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

Between the stems of the tall trees, feathered with the green of mid-spring, the dogwood displayed its stars, and the fringe tree rose like a fountain.

From Lewis Rand by Johnston, Mary

The wood robin yet uttered its bell-like note, the moist wind brought down the bank the fragrance of the fringe tree to blend with the deeper odour of the pine and hemlock.

From Lewis Rand by Johnston, Mary

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

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen