Meet the Grancy Greybeard

Let me introduce you to a tree native to the southeastern United States, Chionanthus virginicus. (Chionantus means "snow flower").

Some call them fringe trees, others Grancy Greybeard. 

Despite this not being the southeastern United States, there are at least three of these trees that I know of in the Binghamton, New York area. (I'm sure there are more).  I think there should be more of these fascinating trees.  They adapt well to urban settings, I have read.

Starting out shyly - Otsiningo Park, Broome County, New York

They are just about the last trees to leaf out.  For weeks after other trees have leafed, they stay dead looking.  They are cautious trees.  People ignore them, and plant dogwoods.  But when they bloom, watch out.  Their season is short.

Their blooms look like fringes, or beards; hence the name.  They have some sweet fragrance.

Another angle.

The fringe tree comes in male and female trees.  The males have showier blooms but the females bear small fruit in the fall, which wildlife loves.

Yesterday, after the weekend, I returned to the Broome County courthouse, where most of these pictures were taken.  The fringes were dying.  The short blooming season had ended.

Be mindful, the trees teach us.  Be cautious.  And be as showy as you would like when it is your time to flower.

Good lessons, indeed.