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| Our tree of the week is a young fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), growing on a gradual slope near the Student Union Building. This specimen volunteered in a nearby location, under a shingle oak. While still a seedling, it was transplanted to this sunny spot during the winter of 2019. |
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| An on-site native southern red oak (Quercus falcata) looms in the background, providing some afternoon shade. |
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| For the first two years, this volunteer barely grew and seemed to struggle. However, it appears that those first two years were spent on root development, as our little fringe tree had explosive growth this spring. Much of the growth you see is from the past several months. Today, it stands a little more than two feet tall. |
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| Leaves appear opposite from one another along the young trunk. |
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| The glossy, dark green leaves have an elliptical shape and smooth edges. |
