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Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

Pronunciation
GINGK-go bi-LO-ba
Pronunciation Audio
Family
Genus
Nativity

Southeastern China; geological records indicate this plant has grown on earth for 150 million years.

Growth Habit

Upright, pyramidal, becoming broader and regular with age. Slow to medium growth rate.

Hardiness
3
Culture

Full sun, well-drained soil; adaptable to many soils, urban pollution and drought.

Landscape Use

An ancient tree (on Earth 150 million years), Ginko biloba is well known for its medicinal qualities. It is also a beautiful ornamental tree in its own right with an open upright growth habit with massive branches at maturity. The foliage is fan shaped and a pretty lime green in the summer and a stunning golden yellow in the fall. Few trees compare to this one for fall color. Select male clones, as the female fruity is malodorous.

Foliage

Alternate, simple, 1 to 2 inches long (in clusters on spur shoots on second-year twigs). Fan-shaped with forking, parallel veins. Leathery texture. Fall color is an excellent yellow-gold. :Bright yellow in fall

Buds

Buds are mounded, with distinct form and leaf scars.

Bark

Twigs with stubby spurs; young branches stringy and peeling. Older trees have gray-brown ridges, darker furrows.

Fruit

Drupe-like seeds that lie like odoriferous (rancid butter) land mines beneath female trees in fall. (This is a gymnosperm.) Fleshy layer can cause dermatitis. Kernels edible when cooked. This is a dioecious plant.

Propagation

June cuttings root when treated with 8000 ppm IBA quick dip, then placed in mist . Should root in 7-8 weeks.

Pests
None serious.
Cultivars

'Autumn Gold' - Male with broad, spreading form.

'Pendula' - Branches more or less pendulous.

'Princeton Sentry' - Upright form, male.

'Variegata' - Leaves variegated yellow.

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