Meet “Grancy Graybeard” also known as grandfather graybeard, granddaddy’s beard, old-man’s beard, snow flower tree or flowering ash, and Chionanthus virginicus. Botanists call it a fringe tree, and while I’m not technically a botanist, I’m going with that for now.
I discovered this tree with it’s delicate fringes and fragrance at Greenfield Lake Park on Saturday. What a delight to discover something new! The earth is always showing us new and wonderful things!
This poem was nearby in the fragrance garden:
Thursday Tree Love is hosted by Parul Thakur on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Please join me in sending prayers to Parul’s home of India where the second pandemic wave is hitting hard.
For more Tree Love, visit:
#ThursdayTreeLove – 108 – happiness and food
Anything is Possible! 
April 22, 2021 at 10:28 am
Beautiful tree and quote, JoAnna! Happy Earth Day! ❤
April 22, 2021 at 6:13 pm
Thanks, Cheryl! I just remembered to add a video. Happy Earth Day! ❤
April 22, 2021 at 2:09 pm
This tree grows where I live, and it’s one of the later blooming trees – in fact it’s one of the last trees to leaf out, period. It does have some fragrance, too. It’s one of my favorite native trees.
April 22, 2021 at 6:30 pm
I think it’s one of the latest bloomers here in NC, too. I’m looking forward to seeing this one grow.
April 22, 2021 at 2:09 pm
The fringe is a beautiful tree, JoAnna. I wish to see it somewhere here!
April 22, 2021 at 6:32 pm
I hope you do get to see one. There’s always something new to discover!
April 23, 2021 at 5:35 am
A good note about prayers for India
April 23, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Yes. They are having a real hard time.
April 23, 2021 at 8:37 am
Thank you for sharing photos and lovely poem!!… here on the path every day is earth day and in spite of the weather, the apple tree is blooming white… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
April 23, 2021 at 6:22 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and poem, and that every day is earth day for you, too. Thank you for the lovely Irish blessing which returns to you multiplied.
April 24, 2021 at 1:31 am
Such pretty flowers. This is a new species for me!
April 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm
It was new to me, too! Isn’t it fun to discover new things in natures?! 🙂
April 24, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Beautiful tree, photos, words, and tribute to earth and your friends in India. Thank you JoAnna.
April 24, 2021 at 8:22 pm
You’re welcome, Brad. I’m very glad you liked the tree and message.
April 24, 2021 at 11:53 pm
Indeed.
April 24, 2021 at 7:23 pm
Lovely! I ❤ Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry. Thanks for the name of this tree. I shot several photos of the tree a couple of Sundays ago. I'd' never seen one before, and I was fascinated with the fringes. It's in the lineup to share for a #ThursdayTreeLove.
April 24, 2021 at 9:02 pm
It’s interesting that we both discovered this tree so recently. I guess I can thank Parul for revving up the tree love. The poet, I did not recall knowing before. It’s wonderful to find these treasures and share them!
April 27, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Yes, Parul! I’m so grateful for her linkup. And yes, I’ll have to “excavate” Millay from one of my still-unpacked boxes of books. I have soooo many books that it’s hard to believe I still have SEVERAL unpacked boxes of them!
April 27, 2021 at 9:51 pm
One box at a time. 🙂
April 26, 2021 at 1:59 am
What a beautiful tree 🤗 my thoughts and prayers are with India. I hope the help the UK sends will help. My heart breaks every time I see 🙋♀️🐝
April 26, 2021 at 9:50 pm
I’m glad the UK is sending help. Adding thoughts and prayers.
April 27, 2021 at 9:45 am
🤗🕯♥️
April 29, 2021 at 1:23 am
Old Man’s Beard is considered a dangerous weed in New Zealand because it smothers the plants and trees it grows on. We have to remove it if we find it on our land. I’m glad it is cherished other places in the world! lol
April 29, 2021 at 10:05 pm
I can see how one of my photos makes it look like it’s growing on the other tree, but this was an independent tree. Having so many nicknames can sure be confusing. Our Spanish moss sounds like your Old Man’s Beard. New Zealand is such a beautiful place. If I could visit anywhere in the world NZ would be on the top of my list.