Chionanthus retusus Chinese fringe tree

A contemplative moment under the Chinese fringe trees in the Thomas Church Garden. Sairus Patel, 18 Apr 2018

Chionanthus retusus in the Thomas Church Garden. John Rawlings, 3 Apr 2003

A very attractive group of four fringe trees planted in 1968 graced the secluded patio, designed by Thomas Church, north of the southwest corner of the Main Quad, off Lomita Mall. Over the decades they have been assiduously replaced as needed, the current quartet being relatively young and not yet of majestic stature. By early April they are in flower, the long narrow petals having a very charming appearance. The fruits are dark-blue oval berries borne in terminal clusters, though some trees have only male flowers.

Following the success of that popular planting, many more Chinese fringe trees have been installed. By 2001, 11 new specimens about 20 feet tall were flowering in the courtyard behind Sequoia Hall, but did not bear fruit. Five are at the entrance to Forsythe Hall; fruit has been seen on at least three of them. Three are at the southwest corner of Panama Mall and Lomita Mall, and four more flank the main entrance to Schwab Residential Center. A pair can be seen at 579 Alvarado Row. Most recently, specimens have been planted in the Outer Quad courtyards behind Math Corner and Wallenberg Hall, continuing the theme from the Thomas Church garden. These semi-enclosed spaces allow their delicate fragrance to be best appreciated.

Chionanthus retusus in bloom in the Thomas Church Garden. Sairus Patel, 31 Mar 2017

Chionanthus retusus branchlet with opposite leaves. John Rawlings, ca. 2005

Past specimens:

In 1998 one of the four in the Thomas Church courtyard was replaced by a vigorous tree (with a plaque for Ruth Sloan) bearing berries ⅝ inch in diameter and ⅞ inch long and containing a stone almost as big. It died in 2003, and was subsequently replaced. A row of five on the south side of Gravity Probe B (west side of Via Palou Mall) produced copious fruit looking like bunches of small grapes, but were taken down when the building itself was demolished in preparation for the Science and Engineering Quad in early 2006. Several specimens on the south side of Mudd Chemistry were removed in 2016 due to construction.