The Fringe Tree is small, a well formed/well behaved, native of North America. A really pretty tree, even when not in bloom, it assumes a self maintained mounding habit 15 to 20 foot tall and about the same or slightly wider, almost maintenance free.It grows in full sun, but also grows as an under-story plant requiring little sun to bloom well, but it will bloom in full shade as it does in its wild state. It forms olive like fruits, propagates by seed carried and spread by birds, but is not invasive. It likes the same environment as a camellia, on the north east side of a Long Leaf Yellow Pine. When in dought, this is the ideal environment for just about any tree or shrub.
During bloom it is a very difficult to photograph because of the slender parts of the flower. I've tried to for many years to get a decent image of this one in my yard ( 45 years old ). The focus mechanism can not see/understand the individual fingers as does the trained/informed human eye, and tends to focus on the entire group.
In these days of information, far traveled men are coming forth with new and most exiting knowledge. We should open our doors of interest/understanding to new forested worlds incomprehensible.
The Fringe tree, sometimes called Grancy Grey beard Tree, looks much better in the natural, and I highly recommend it planted among azaleas, as it doesn't mind having plants growing directly under it, it may even prefer the natural protection/cooling/ mulching/ shading over its roots.Spring is the time of renewal, and this year is very special above all springs you have known, this is a turning point in the way men will look at the world. Take account of those aesthetics/qualities/reasons of your being, the best in the spirit of all things is needed. Man can learn valuable lessons from the loyal, humble, punctual, unchanging, behavior of nature.
