GINKGO AT A GLANCE COMMON NAME: Ginkgo,
also called maidenhair tree because leaves look like leaflets of maidenhair fern.
SPECIES: Ginkgo (gink'o, Chinese meaning ``white nuts'' or ``silvery fruit'') biloba
(by-low'ba, meaning two-lobed). Represents ancient family of sacred trees in China; dates
back 150 million years.
FORM: Spike-like pyramid; becomes uniform and graceful looking as it ages.
SIZE: 40-70 feet tall; 20-40 feet wide; grows about 1 foot a year.
EXPOSURE: Sun.
LEAVES: Deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves over winter. Fan-shaped, green 2-3+
inches wide. Turn brilliant yellow-gold in fall.
FLOWERS: Yellow, not outstanding.
FRUIT: Purchase only male or grafted trees to avoid foul-smelling fruit produced by
female tree. Nuts contained inside flesh of fruits on female tree considered a delicacy
and food for long life by Asian people.
CULTURE: Easy to transplant and establish. Hardy tree does well in almost any soil,
including compacted, infertile and dry soils. Withstands road salt, wind, heat and air
pollution.
VARIETY: Autumn Gold, characteristic of handsome male gingko with branches at sharp
angle and leaves that are not deeply lobed. Female trees have branches that are almost
horizontal.
USES: Specimen or street tree for fine foliage. Gives light shade. Attractive and hardy
year-round. Christopher Newport University utilizes it in several locations.
PRUNING: None.
PROBLEMS: None.
MEDICINAL VALUE: Ginkgo biloba sold in herbal markets to improve memory and other
ailments.
Sources: Landscape Plants of the Southeast, Virginia Cooperative Extension,
McDonald Garden Center |