On May 29, 2002, a tree was planted to honor the memory of Alison Ciancio. The tree memorial was a gift from the College of Agriculture. Dean Catherine Woteki and Associate Dean Eric Hoiberg provided the idea and the funding. The tree selected was a fringetree. Its exact name is White Fringetree, Chionanthus virginica.

A beautiful, large shrub or small tree, the white fringetree usually attains heights of 25—30 feet. In Iowa where the winters are cold, they do not grow so tall. Multiple stems are the rule. Fringetrees are planted for ornamental purposes.

Fringetrees are small, deciduous trees or large shrubs with scaly winter buds. Bundle scars are in a circular pattern. Side buds are globular with four to five pairs of bud scales. Branches are spreading, stout, and somewhat smooth with gray to greenish brown bark.

Leaves are opposite and large with entire leaf margins. Leaves are borne mostly near the upper ends of the twigs. Leaves are generally oblong in shape and 4—8 inches (10—20 cm) long. Foliage is dark green and shiny above and paler beneath. The leaves are leathery to the touch. Fringetrees are likely to be the last plant to leaf out in the spring and are long-lived trees.

Flowers are white and, when in full bloom, are strikingly attractive with drooping, fringed, or feathery blossoms. Flowers are dioecious and fragrant. Male flowers are said to be more attractive. The 4—8 inch (10—20 cm) long terminal panicles open in May or June as the foliage begins to emerge. Fruits are blue-black, single-seeded drupes and ripen in September on the female plants.

The tree was planted on the south side of the building to the west of Lush Auditorium, part of Kildee Hall.

Click on the thumbnail images below for detailed views of the planting process.