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Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry or White Fringe Tree?

9 years ago

They're both adorable! Looking at both of these to plant this spring. Anyone have them? If they're foo foo trees please tell me now. lol Thanks in advance. Everyone, have a great weekend!

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NHBabs z4b-5a NH

9 years ago

I have a native fringe tree and I like it, though it isn't huge at this point. Someone else pointed out to me that they are susceptible to emerald ash borer, and since the borers are in my town, I figure that its days are numbered. Even if they aren't close to you at this point they may be soon, so take that into consideration before purchase.

There are native serviceberries here and I love the early spring flowers and the ornamental berries. I also bought a named variety, which I think was Rainbow Pillar, which I've been disappointed with because the leaves often get frosted and don't turn colors here. So I'd suggest checking local gardens, nurseries, etc to be sure that Autumn Brilliance is a plant that suits your area.

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Comments (8)

akamainegrower
9 years ago
Both are great trees. I'm assuming you are talking about the native American fringe tree, chionanthus virginicus. I wouldn't be scared away from fringetree unless you live in an area with active EAB infestation. Whether fringetrees can support the life cycle of EAB is still uncertain. It was found on trees in a limited area with a great many infected dead ash trees nearby. It is also possible to protect against infestation. Autumn Brilliance is regarded as very disease and insect resistant, but all serviceberries are in the rose family, apple/pear subdivision, and are subject to pests and diseases common to apples. If you live in an area with lots of old neglected apple trees, this might be a concern. As NHBabs noted, some shrubs and trees noted for their autumn color routinely get zapped by frost too early, so I wouldn't make fall color your number 1 priority. Seviceberry is marginally hardier, earlier to bloom and produces edible fruit. Fringetree is fragrant and showier/longer lasting/later in bloom. You can't go wrong with either.

Despite some claims to the contrary, all plants have specific environmental and nutritional needs. Labeling anything you can't pop into the ground and walk away from as if it were a Norway maple as "foo foo" is inaccurate and would deprive gardeners of many, many wonderful plants.
ilovemytrees thanked akamainegrower
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Thanks all! That thread was helpful fatamorgana. From my reading it seems that Autumn Brilliance meant to have good fungal resistance but at the same time I've read a lot of people have had problems with it in the real world. I believe the berries on this cultivar are meant to be tasty. It seems as though the laevis although taller may cast less shade because the branching startis higher up and the canopy is more open in the shade. However I'm getting the sense that 'autumn brilliance' is shorter. We get quite a bit of humidity and powdery mildew can be an issue. I'm still torn. I just read that 'Diana' has the best fungal resistance. I'd love to hear from the posters on forum link you sent me fatamorgana. A few people had just planted all three varieties.
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ilovemytrees
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Good morning. Thank you both for responding. I never even gave thought to EAB. Thank you so much for bringing that up. EAB was confirmed in my county not too long ago. So the Fringe tree is definitely out...
splaker
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I am glad I came across this.. was seriously considering a fringe.. we are at the epicentre of EAB here in Southern Ontario..in fact, it may be where the infestation started (unless I am confusing it with the asian long horned beetle)... our ash trees are almost all dead or already cut down... so no fringe for me
maackia
6 years ago
Fringe Tree does well for me. It has been easy so far and is magical when in flower.
bengz6westmd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
My fringe trees have been attacked by EABs for yrs, and they suffer. Fringe trees are close relatives to ashes.
splaker
6 years ago
funny, i thought those things only attacked ash... I know a lot of folks are against the use of chemical pesticides these days, but have we gone too far now? Maybe more damage is being caused by not using pesticides to control these things... We have lost hundreds of millions of ash trees....
splaker
6 years ago
anyhow back to the AB serviceberry - I have one in my backyard. How easy/difficult are they to propagate from hardwood cutting? Can someone explain the process? I have never attempted it. Thanks...

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