Great Design Plant: Ginkgo Biloba
This ancient tree provides shade, tolerates urban planting conditions and explodes with golden yellow fall color
If you think "stinky berries" when you hear the word "ginkgo," please keep reading so that I can try to change your preconceived notions about this beautiful tree. It's true — fertilized female ginkgo trees of a certain age will sprout fruit that, quite frankly, smells like a trash dump. However, you can avoid this completely by making sure you plant a male tree.
Think about the fact that this ancient tree was around during the time of the dinosaurs, and that Buddhist monks have revered and planted ginkgos in contemplative temple gardens for thousands of years. Let those facts marinate for a few moments and foster your appreciation for the ginkgo. Then learn more about this unique tree below and replace your thoughts of foul female berries with those of golden fan-shaped leaves.
Think about the fact that this ancient tree was around during the time of the dinosaurs, and that Buddhist monks have revered and planted ginkgos in contemplative temple gardens for thousands of years. Let those facts marinate for a few moments and foster your appreciation for the ginkgo. Then learn more about this unique tree below and replace your thoughts of foul female berries with those of golden fan-shaped leaves.
Distinguishing traits. The soft green leaves are a delicate fan shape that is so pretty and distinguishable it is often rendered in decor, whether on a pillow, wallpaper print, tile or bronze sculpture.
While the full-grown ginkgo has a lovely shape, young specimens go through an awkward and gangly adolescence, with odd branching patterns and a rate of slow growth. After a few years, they start to fill out and grow at a moderate rate.
The sensational golden yellow fall color is reason enough to plant this tree.
While the full-grown ginkgo has a lovely shape, young specimens go through an awkward and gangly adolescence, with odd branching patterns and a rate of slow growth. After a few years, they start to fill out and grow at a moderate rate.
The sensational golden yellow fall color is reason enough to plant this tree.
How to use it. The ginkgo is a distinguished speciman tree that stands out in a landscape. While it's a magnificent tree to plant singly, it's also lovely in a grove or in a courtyard, and because of its tolerances, it makes a great urban street tree.
The tree also has become a symbol of longevity, endurance and hope; these meanings are factors to consider when planting it.
The tree also has become a symbol of longevity, endurance and hope; these meanings are factors to consider when planting it.
Here the ancient tree appears sculptural, its irregular form contrasting with the straight lines of the contemporary architecture surrounding it.
Planting notes:
• Dig a hole about 5 inches larger than the root ball on all sides.
• Ginkgos like sandy loam, so if your soil is not sandy loam, spread sand on the bottom of your hole.
• Place the rootball in the hole and fill the sides with sand.
• Keep turf several feet away from the trunk.
• Water your tree, but be careful not to overwater.
• Ginkgo tree growth can be erratic, so don't worry if it hasn't grown, so long as it looks healthy.
• Dig a hole about 5 inches larger than the root ball on all sides.
• Ginkgos like sandy loam, so if your soil is not sandy loam, spread sand on the bottom of your hole.
• Place the rootball in the hole and fill the sides with sand.
• Keep turf several feet away from the trunk.
• Water your tree, but be careful not to overwater.
• Ginkgo tree growth can be erratic, so don't worry if it hasn't grown, so long as it looks healthy.
Fun facts. Google "ginkgo biloba" and you'll get a slew of medicinal information. The plant has been used to treat a range of ailments for thousands of years. In Eastern medicine these include asthma, indigestion and bronchitis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the plant has proved effective for treatment of "intermittent claudication, Alzheimer's/multi-infarct dementia and cerebral insufficiency." It also is being studied as a remedy for discomforts from altitude sickness to PMS. You've probably heard of it most recently as a memory aid; scientists are still studying the efficacy of this use.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the plant has proved effective for treatment of "intermittent claudication, Alzheimer's/multi-infarct dementia and cerebral insufficiency." It also is being studied as a remedy for discomforts from altitude sickness to PMS. You've probably heard of it most recently as a memory aid; scientists are still studying the efficacy of this use.
Common name: Ginkgo tree, Maidenhair tree
USDA zones: 3 to 8 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Soil should be well-drained.
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade. Full sun is recommended for the best, fastest growth.
Mature size: In the largest examples, over 100 feet tall and 60 feet wide; though more commonly expect up to 70 feet tall and 30 feet wide.
Benefits and tolerances: Disease, pest and urban-pollution free. This is a long-living tree you should plant with the idea of leaving a legacy behind.
Seasonal interest: The leaves turn to a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. They often fall off almost all at once, creating a round, golden carpet on the ground beneath the trunk. Keep the leaf-blower tucked away and enjoy it for a few days.
When to plant: Spring or fall