Russian Olive vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs White Fringe Tree

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Chionanthus virginicus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Russian Olive
White Fringe Tree

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

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.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $4.49 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 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: yellow
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree