fringe tree


noun

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.
Also called old-man's-beard.

Origin of fringe tree

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

British Dictionary definitions for fringe tree

fringe tree

noun

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