Black Locust vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Black Locust vs White Fringe Tree

Robinia pseudoacacia

Chionanthus virginicus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Black Locust
White Fringe Tree

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

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.

Black Locust Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $0.89 - SAVE UP TO 82%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 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
Berries: blue to black
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium




Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree