Western Snowberry vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

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White Fringe Tree
Western Snowberry

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.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: blue to black
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high




Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry