Ginkgo Biloba- Maidenhair tree
Description
General: A large, slow growing tree that’s pyramidal in youth but becomes wide and spreading with age. Ginkgos will reach 50-80’ with a spread of 40’ in the landscape but can grow upwards of 100’ in the wild. They are one of the oldest trees, growing on earth for 150+ million years
Leaves: Clusters of alternate spurs or single long shoots, ginkgos leaves are fan shaped, 2-3” wide and bright green. Turning bright yellow in the fall.
Flowers: Males have cylindrical 1” catkins March- April. Female trees 1-2” long pedicels bearing green ovules.
Fruit: A naked seed, tan to orange in color and plum shaped. On female trees this fruit is fleshy, messy and foul smelling which is the reason male trees are preferred for the landscape.
Bark: Gray brown ridges with darker furrows.
Attributes: One of the best street trees as Ginkgos are very tolerant of pollution. Size and habit make ginkgos suitable for large landscapes and public spaces over private residences.
Culture
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Growing Conditions: Full sun. Very PH adaptable, heat, salt and pollution tolerant. A great tree for difficult landscapes.
Maintenance: Relatively disease and insect free. Little intervention required.
Transplanting: Transplants easily and establishes without difficulty.
Our Experience
Experience at Great Hill
Our ginkgos are striking specimens featured in our Japanese garden. Tall and stately, they have a habit unlike any other tree and especially stand out in the fall with bright yellow color. As they do not fruit until they are over 20 years old, it is difficult to discern when you have a female tree- as such, we have a couple. In the area we have them planted they are far from a dwelling so smell and mess aren’t as big an issue, but if this is a concern for you, be sure to purchase one from a knowledgeable/reputable nursery.