Overview:
Ginkgo biloba is sometimes called a "fossil tree" since it is the last of its kind, with no close relatives. It works well in the urban landscape because of its high tolerance to a wide variety of conditions. It is widely known in medicine to aid in preventing memory loss.
Latin Name:
Ginkgo biloba
Common Names:
Ginkgo biloba, maidenhair tree, Japanese silver apricot
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Zones 3-8
Size & Shape:
Ginkgo biloba grows to a size of 50-75'+ high and 50-60' wide. It usually forms a pyramidal to very irregular shape.
Exposure:
Grow ginkgo biloba in full to part sun.
Foliage/ Flowers/Fruit:
Leaves are 3" and fan-shaped. They turn yellow in the fall before dropping off.
Ginkgo biloba is dioecious - meaning that male and female parts are contained in separate flowers that grow on separate trees. The male trees have drooping catkins, while the females have drooping flowers. Both appear in March and April.
The female trees produce very smelly 1-3" fruit that appears in autumn.
Additional Facts:
The fruit is eaten in Asia, giving it one of its common names - Japanese silver apricot.
Design Tips for Ginkgo Biloba:
Male trees should be planted to avoid the smelly fruit. However, trees from seed may take more than 20 years to flower and reveal their gender. This can be remedied by buying cultivars, as these have been grafted from male trees.
If you have a tree of unknown gender, plant it by itself with no other ginkgoes around to avoid possible fruit production.
Ginkgo biloba is a good substitute for quaking aspen. Both flutter beautifully in the wind, but quaking aspen is very good at sending up suckers all over the yard.
Ginkgo biloba can be used as a shade or specimen tree. It is too large for street use.
Growing Tips for Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo biloba is a splendid tree for the urban landscape. It is highly tolerant of many soils, pH, salt, and pollution. However, do make sure it is well drained. It also does not tolerate over-watering well.
Maintenance/Pruning:
When it is young, ginkgo biloba should be pruned to form a central leader.
Pests & Diseases
Ginkgo biloba is not usually affected by any pests or diseases.
