Washington Hawthorn vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Washington Hawthorn vs White Fringe Tree

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Chionanthus virginicus

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Washington Hawthorn
White Fringe Tree

Washington Hawthorn is an attractive ornamental shrub that is dense enough to plant as a privacy screen. It produces clusters of white blooms in late spring to early summer.

Washington Hawthorn's red berries last throughout winter, bringing squirrels and birds to your property. In the fall, its foliage turns beautiful orange, scarlet, or purple.

One of the most overlooked trees on the prairies. This tree is often used as rootstock, a wildlife attractor, or a boulevard hedge. Give this one a second look.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Please note: this plant is poisonous to dogs.

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.

Washington Hawthorn Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange, scarlet or purple
Berries: small, red
Berries: blue to black
Flowers: white flowers in spring
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: washington thorn
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree