Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)
Michael's Opinion
A true living fossil, the only member of its family and genus, the Ginkgo dates back to prehistoric time via fossil records. It does not exist in nature but is found only in cultivated landscapes, having survived centuries in Buddhist temple gardens in China. It is a class tree that is well known but often overlooked for its brilliant egg-yellow autumn colour. The leaves carpet the ground simultaneously with gold when they appear to drop all at once. Tolerant of some of the most inhospitable conditions that a horticulturist can throw at it, it is one of the most adaptable trees I know. The female produces fruit in quantity, and although I find them attractive as they ripen in September others may find the sickly smell offensive. Since most plants in production are grafted, this should not be a problem or concern for most. There are many excellent cultivars of this plant available and are worth trying. I have never seen an insect or disease that affects the tree and most often the leaves as they drop from the tree in autumn are as perfect as they were in spring.
Botanical Information
| Family | Ginkgoaceae |
| Genus | Ginkgo |
| Species | biloba |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (deciduous) |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The fruit contains a nut that is roasted and eaten by certain cultures. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 - 8 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 2a - 8a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -34 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) | -30 - 20 |
| Height | 15 m |
| Growth | Medium |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | An unusual tree that is both pollution tolerant and tolerant of lean, dry soils. |
| ID Characteristic | Easily identifiable by its unique fan shaped leaves. |
| Shape | Sparse, but spreading crown. |
| Propagation | Seed but grafted for horticultural cultivars and male only forms. |
| Pests | None. |
| Notable Specimens | The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada has a spectacular female plant. |
| Habitat | Mountains. |
| Fruit Description | Green but yellow when ripe, orbicular, about 1.5cm across and smelling of vomit when ripe. |
| Colour Description | Fantastic yellow-gold autumn colour, with all the leaves turning at the same time. |
| Texture Description | Coarse textured tree due to the fact that it produces little lateral branching. |
Photographs
A fine specimen at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Fan shaped leaves with parallel venation.
Ginkgo biloba 'Witches Broom'.
Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken'.
Ginkgo biloba 'Sunstreak'.