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Gingko tree lost leaves without turning yellow

9 years ago

My gingko tree is in full sun with a southern exposure. It is about 20 feet tall. Today, Nov. 14, 2014, it dropped all its green leaves within an hour! None of the leaves had turned yellow. I suspect this event was due to a freeze that came on us suddenly. Temperatures plummeted 30 degrees to the mid 20s within 24 hours . None of the other trees in our yard suffered this fate. I'd appreciate others comments on whether this is due to anything other than the sudden weather change I described. Thank you in advance.

Featured Answer

hairmetal4ever

9 years ago

In my rather uneducated observation/opinion, Ginkgo colors better in climates with warmer falls.

In Ohio, when I lived there, the Ginkgos usually dropped green after a few hard freezes, only occasionally showing some yellow.

Here in MD, they start to color about the same time but usually peak a nice yellow, because we don't typically get a hard enough freeze to kill the foliage before they have a chance to turn. Seems temp around 23-25 is what will knock the leaves off.

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
yes .... mid 20s will do that ...

ken
bengz6westmd
9 years ago
Ginkgos have a way of doing just that. Not to worry.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
Gs ..mulberry ... boxelder

seen it a a bunch of my trees... and now that i look at the list.. its all my carp trees.. lol

ken
whaas_5a
9 years ago
Best way to ensure yellow fall color in zone 5 is very dry soil or persistent cool temps prior to the arrival of freezes.

I've been growing them for 8 years now and I'd say I got fall color 3 of the 8 years.

Even then I didn't get the best golden color.

{{gwi:479949}}

{{gwi:479950}}
j0nd03
9 years ago
Gingko trees in particular need a prolonged fall season with cool but not freezing temperatures to color best. The northeast is prime fall color territory for this very reason and most species of trees and shrubs consistently color well in this region, gingko is no exception. In areas where hard frosts occur suddenly, the best gingko color will be seen in urban areas in parking lot islands where the temperatures are moderated from hard freezes and the soil stays on the dry side. Rural locations in these quick hard frost areas tend to be SOL more often than not in regards to gingko coloring.
sam_md
9 years ago
prolly your tree was mad at you for spelling it's name wrong. I am posting from Maryland and Ginkgo color has been exceptional this year.
The male Ginkgo here had the most beautiful, lemon-yellow foliage, equally beautiful as a golden carpet. Doesn't it make you want to walk through it barefooted?
I couldn't help but notice, every leaf was perfect, no insect damage of any kind.
{{gwi:479951}}
bengz6westmd
9 years ago
Wow, that's a big-trunked ginkgo. It'd be nice to see its crown.
hairmetal4ever
9 years ago
The ginkgos here looked great, but were suddenly defoliated Saturday morning with lows in the mid 20s.

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