Chinese fringetree

Chionanthus retusus Lindl. & Paxton

Family: Oleaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Dogs, cats, horses: the NC State and USU pages carry no poisonous or 'problem for' tags. That is silence, not an all-clear.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Chionanthus retusus, not on the common name.. Look-alike trap: C. retusus (Chinese fringetree, from Asia) and C. virginicus (fringetree or old-man's-beard, native to the US) are different species; the UConn lead guide lists C. virginicus. NC State lists former names Chionanthus chinensis and C. coreanus. Check by scientific name.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 5a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 5B-9 per Utah State University Botanical Center
Light: NC State: full sun to part shade or dappled sun; foliage looks best in light shade, flowering heaviest in full sun.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: US: NC State: 10-30 ft tall and 10-30 ft wide (a multi-stemmed shrub form 10-20 ft; up to 30-40 ft tall under ideal conditions); US-UT: USU: 10-30 ft tall, 20 ft wide; multi-stemmed shrub 10-20 ft or tree 30-40 ft

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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