Western Chokecherry vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs White Fringe Tree

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Chionanthus virginicus

SOLD OUT

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Western Chokecherry
White Fringe Tree

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 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 Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: blue to black
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree