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Ginkgo biloba

Also Known As

Maidenhair Tree

Plant type

tree

size

H: 50'-100'
W: 25'-40'

planting zones

3a-10b

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Ginkgo biloba plant details

Ginkgo biloba is a broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In spring flowers emerge followed by green and yellow fruit. Grows well with sun and even moisture water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ginkgo biloba

Plant type: tree
Plant family: ginkgoaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 25 FT - 40 FT - wide, 50 FT - 100 FT - tall
Uses: fall color, pyramidal

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ginkgo biloba

USDA Zones: 3a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: pollution and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

An ancient and amazing tree, actually a deciduous conifer; this picturesque, wide-spreading (80' tall by 40' wide) tree has interesting two-lobed fan-shaped leaves with butter-yellow fall color; most cultivars are male to avoid the foul smelling (but tasty!) fruits, these are unsexed seedlings. S/M

By: Forestfarm

An ancient species of tree that existed almost identically to today with the dinosaurs 150 million years ago, the Ginkgo is the sole living species of a group of trees unlike any other today. Although they appear like a deciduous hardwood, Gingko trees are more closely related to conifers and are sort of like a deciduous broadleaf pine. The leaves are unlike any other tree species in the world, slowly widening into a spade-like shape with randomly placed leaf dissections. In the fall trees seem to almost glow like golden fire and are known to put on quite a show of bright yellow color. Pair with Red Japanese Maples or Red Maples for well contrasting and extremely bright reds against yellows in the fall.

Ginkgos are often used as street and landscape trees because of their naturally neat and tidy form and easy of care. Their wide spreading branches make for an excellent shade tree, but because the trees prune to shape well they are also often used in more formal landscapes. Ginkgo trees are also very extensively used for bonsai due to the unique form and leaf structure. One gallon plants are usually the best starting size for bonsai as two gallon plants have started to put on tall growth spurts.

Another unusual trait for Gingko trees is that trees are divided into male and female plants. Female plants produce fruit with edible nuts which are popular for harvest. However, the fruit will smell pretty bad after falling off the tree if they are stepped on and crushed so avoid planting them in areas with foot traffic. Of course, if you only have one tree then no fruit will be produced because even if the tree is female there will be no male tree available for pollination.

Extracts from Ginkgo trees have been shown by various studies to have a wide variety of health benefits, you can read more about that here: Ginkgo Health Benefits

Propagating Ginkgo biloba Trees

Propagation is best done through seed as cuttings are very difficult. Varieties are grafted into seedlings, the one and two gallon plants are a suitable size for grafting. The nuts are also delicious and edible

By: Red Panda Nursery

Witness to the birth and extinction of countless species over a period of 150 million years, Ginkgo survives to charm us with its unique fan-shaped leaves and butter-yellow fall color. Consider that even after Hiroshima was devastated by nuclear blast, fire and radiation in 1945, at ground zero it was the lone re-generating tree the following spring. Merits wider use, and grafted male cultivars are becoming very popular. These are un-sexed seedlings, used almost exclusively for grafting.

By: Heritage Seedlings

The straight species these are unsexed clones from seed; essentially wild type these are not grafts but can be used as understock if you so desire 'Horizontalis' 'Tschi-Tschi' and 'Witches Broom' might make an interesting combination.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

(Maidenhair Tree) Zones 3-8. Clusters of 3-5 fan shaped, bright green leaves. Yellow in fall. Young stems are light brown, becoming grey with stringy peeling bark. Grows 10-15' in 10 years. Prefers sandy, deep moderately moist soil, but grows in almost any situation. Full sun. Air pollution tolerant. A durable tree for difficult landscape situations. Extremely pest free. From eastern China. Introduced in 1784.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Ginkgo is practically pest free, resistant to storm damage, and casts light shade in late autumn. Ginkgo tolerates most soil types. The tree is easily transplanted and has a yellow fall color.

By: Oregon Grown Tree Farm

A picturesque and ancient tree with most striking leaf and form. Pyramidal and open branched when young, the tree broadens with age and holds massive branches. Long stems hold the distinctive fan shaped light green leaves, held alternately or in clusters of 3 to 5. Ginkgo's are known for their brilliant yellow fall color.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Ginkgo biloba plant details

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ginkgo biloba

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ginkgo biloba

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Garden photo gallery of Ginkgo biloba

Gardening facts about Ginkgo biloba plant

How to Grow Ginkgo biloba

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