Western Chokecherry vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

White Fringe Tree
Western Chokecherry

White Fringe Tree is known for its fringe-like white flowers. It can either grow as a small tree or a large multistemmed shrub. The White Fringe Tree has separate male and female plants. Both male and female flowers have white fringe-like petals, but the male flowers are longer and showier. The female flowers give way to clusters of dark blue to black berries. These berries are not edible for humans but attract birds and other wildlife.

The White Fringe Tree is tolerant of clay soils, saline soils, and air pollution but does not do well in prolonged dry conditions.

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $9.99
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low


Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Berries: blue to black
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry