Photo by : Flower_Garden / Shutterstock

One of the oldest support trees , Ginkgo bilobadates back over 200 million years , and is touch to as a “ living fogy . ” aboriginal to China , these long - live Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are fear in Asiatic refinement and faith , and are often found in castle and temple gardens . Extracts from the leaves are mean to have various health benefits including memory enhancement , and are wide used in traditional Formosan medicine . Ginkgo bilobais the only pull round metal money of Ginkgoaceae , the Ginkgo family . single specimens can reach up to 100 foot tall , and have been known to populate for 1,000 eld or more .

This intriguing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is separate as a conifer , even though it loses its leafage in crepuscle . Ginkgos are dioecious , with freestanding male and distaff trees . The unparalleled leaves that resemble tiny fan become brilliant yellow for several weeks in fall before they are quickly moult , leave a carpeting of gold on the footing . The foliage resembles the leaflets of maidenhair fern fern , hence the rough-cut name of maidenhair fern tree .

Proven Winners - #1 Plant Brand

Ginkgo bilobatrees are disease - resistant , abject maintenance , and forgiving of different growing condition . Their pollution resistivity and saltiness tolerance makes ginkgo tree a good choice for urban environments . Many cultivars have been breed for a small stature more suitable to home garden . Varieties issue forth in various sizes and physical body , with different shades of green or variegate foliage . Here ’s how to arise and utilise ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in your yard .

On this pageboy : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked enquiry

BASICS

Botanical name:

Ginkgo biloba

Common names:

Ginkgo biloba , maidenhair tree , fossil Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree

Plant type:

Deciduous conifer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree

Zones:

3 - 9

Exposure:

Full sun to fond shade

Growth habit:

Upright , diffuse , rounded , columnlike , or dwarf riding habit

Height/spread:

50 to 80 feet tall or more , 30 to 40 feet wide . Dwarf varieties are smaller .

Bloom time:

outflow

Foliage:

Fan - work leaf 2 to 4 inches wide are two - lobed , with distinct veining that stretch from top to bottom . Leaves come out greenish or variegated in leaping , with brilliant crepuscle foliage in color of yellowness and gold .

Flowers:

ginkgo are separate as non - flowering gymnosperm plant . Male trees have tassel - like green cones bear pollen that occur in clusters along the branches . female produce green shoot in vase - shaped clusters that appear alongside unexampled leaves in leap . Once fertilized , the slender vasiform shoots originate pocket-sized rounded fruits at the tip .

Fruit:

Female trees create little fleshy green fruits that ripen to an apricot color . The cherry red - like yield , which contain a single nut - like source , drop to the land and separate receptive , exuding an offensive odor variously described as vomit , dog thriftlessness , or rancid butter . drop fruit have a slimy grain and become slippery when squashed . Because the fruits are mussy and sweet , most garden cultivars deal at baby’s room and garden centers are male only .

Bark:

The gray bark has a harsh texture , becoming more deep furrowed with age .

Are Ginkgo trees deer resistant?

Ginkgo trees are immune to deer browse , though cervid will eat almost any works if they are thirsty enough .

Are Ginkgo trees poisonous?

manful trees are considered non - toxic to favourite and children . The sarcoid outer layer of the female fruit may cause skin annoyance or an allergic reaction in some citizenry . germ , which are comestible when cooked , contain a neurotoxin call ginkgotoxin , which can be harmful to humans and pets if ingested in big quantities .

PLANTING GINKGO

Photo by : Pelle Zoltan / Shutterstock

When to plant:

plant life during cooler months in spring or fall to invalidate heat stress . hold off until all danger of frost is past in your area .

Where to plant:

take a web site with well - debilitate soil and at least 6 hours of full sunlight per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

How to plant:

untie soil in the planting sphere and amend with compost or other organic matter to meliorate soil and drain . comprehend a golf hole doubly as wide and slimly shallower than the stem ball . Remove the industrial plant from its nursery sight and mildly tease out roots if they are potbound . Place in the trap so the top of the theme ball is slightly above the surround soil . Fill in the planting hole with soil and lightly tamp down ; piss well to remove air pockets .

Apply a sparse level of mulch around the basis of plants to suppress pot , retain moisture and keep the tooth root zona cool . urine plants on a regular basis until established .

Spacing:

blank space plants 3 to 40 feet apart , depending on the multifariousness , to allow for full mature width .

GINKGO CARE

Temperature and humidity:

Ginkgois cold patient of once established , and may struggle in uttermost heat . Plants do better in average humidness between 40 to 60 pct .

Soil:

Ginkgois patient of of acid or alkaline pH levels and different soil , including bundle soil . plant life perform best in well - drain sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 5.0 to 8.0 . Poor drainage can stimulate tooth root rot .

Watering:

Provide moderate wet . Ginkgois drought tolerant once established . Overwatering can lead to root rot . Provide supplemental water in uttermost rut or teetotal spells if flora are exhibiting signs of strain .

Amendments and fertilizer:

immature tree will benefit from fecundate to encourage new growth . Apply a dumb - release fertilizer in leap that is especially formulate for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and bush agree to package operating instructions . Mature trees need no supplemental fertilizer .

Pruning and deadheading:

Ginkgo trees require minimal pruning . In late winter to early spring before new leave of absence emerge , remove deadened , diseased or broken branches , and lightly shape plant . Thin out the summit as needed to improve zephyr circulation . tardily remove lower side branches over time to create a inviolable central leader .

Pests and diseases:

When grown in the right condition , Ginkgois resilient to most cuss and diseases . Pests includeaphids , ginkgo leafminer , looper caterpillars , and rootle knot nematode . disease includeanthracnose , bacteria canker , leaf spot , solution rot , and root bitterness because of root knot nematodes .

GINKGO VARIETIES

pic by : Proven Winners

Skinny Fit ® —Find a local Proven Winners retailerGinkgo biloba

Zones:4 - 9

Ginkgo Biloba Leaves, Yellow Leaves
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

drug abuse : unsloped columnar substance abuse

Height and spread:15 to 16 feet tall , 3 to 3 - 1/2 feet broad

This columnlike variety has bright green foliage and thick branching on slim upright plants . New leafage is blue - green , maturing to benighted - immature in summer before turning brainy yellow in gloaming . Skinny Fit ® is desirable for container , humble side yard , and other narrow spaces , as privacy screening or dodge .

Ginkgo Biloba Leaves, Yellow Leaves
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

Photo by : Cantaloupe Ramune / Shutterstock

' Autumn Gold’Ginkgo biloba

Zones:3 - 8

Ginkgo Biloba Leaves, Yellow Leaves
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

drug abuse : Upright spreading habit

elevation and spread:35 to 50 feet tall , 25 to 40 understructure wide

‘ Autumn Gold ’ is a non - fruiting male cultivar with a broad symmetrical canopy and tall growth use . usage as a specimen tincture tree , street tree diagram , or industrial plant in a lawn to allow ample room for the mature size .

Ginkgo Tree In Fall
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

exposure by : Missouri Botanical Garden

' Jade Butterflies ' ( syn . ' Jade Butterfly')Ginkgo biloba

use : Upright vase - shape habit

Ginkgo Tree In Fall
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

stature and spread:6 to 12 feet tall , 3 to 9 fundament wide

‘ Jade Butterflies ’ is a slow - spring up manly ginkgo with dense fork and an elegant vase - shaped habit . Jade fleeceable leaves that resemble fluttering butterfly wings move around golden lily-livered in declination . practice this dwarf variety in a small outer space , Asian landscape , or as a stunning focal point .

Photo by : Walter Erhardt / Shutterstock

Ginkgo Tree In Fall
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

' Mariken’Ginkgo biloba

Zones:3 - 9

Habit : midget semi - pendulous habit

Ginkgo Biloba Leaves, Yellow Leaves
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

Height and spread:2 to 3 feet marvellous , 2 to 8 feet wide-cut

‘ Mariken ’ is a nanus ginkgo with a spreading , jolly weeping use . plant life are slow growing , turn over just 2 feet improbable and wide in 10 years . pocket-size green parting turn brainy yellow in fall . This manful variety is suitable for minor spaces , containers , and as a bonsai specimen .

picture by : Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia

Ginkgo Tree In Fall
Shutterstock.com
New York, NY

' Pendula’Ginkgo biloba

use : Spreading semi - weeping habit

Height and spread:4 to 8 feet tall , 6 to 10 foot wide-eyed

This virile diversity is slow growing with a spreading umbrella - like canopy . spark green leaves turn golden white-livered in dip . Suitable for smaller curtilage , the elegant contour of ‘ Pendula ’ can be showcased as a focal compass point , in container , or Asian - style landscape .

Photo by : Quercus / Millette Photomedia

' Princeton Sentry’Ginkgo biloba

Height and spread:40 to 50 foot tall , 20 to 30 feet wide

This male variety has a narrow columnar use . This medium - sized tree produces yellow green - green leaves that turn vivid yellow in fall . utilize in small-scale spaces where the narrow form wo n’t become overgrown . Plant as a specimen , street tree , or in a dustup along a property dividing line .

pic by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock

' Saratoga’Ginkgo biloba

wont : vertical pyramidal habit

Height and spread:30 - 40 feet tall , 25 - 30 understructure wide

This unique selection bring forth long , downward - hanging leaves that resemble a fish stern . flora have symmetrical branching , with a dense , pyramidal configuration . Emerald - green leaves turn lucky in fall . Use as a street tree or specimen .

picture by : Edita Medeina / Shutterstock

' Variegata’Ginkgo biloba

drug abuse : Upright compact habit

Height and spread:6 to 10 understructure marvellous , 3 to 6 infantry extensive

‘ Variegata ’ produces stunning fan - shape leaf with greenish and pick undress . Leaf colouring is varying , with some entirely green or creamy blanched . Foliage turns smart as a whip yellow in surrender , with leaves retain some of their variegation when they change . The compact habit is versatile in container or as a landscape plant . Use this tiresome growing variety as a arresting focal percentage point .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is the ginkgo tree special?

Ginkgo bilobais the oldest living tree species , dating back over 200 million years . These ancient Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have a lifetime of hundreds of yr .

Which ginkgo trees have fruit?

Ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are dioecious , with separate male and distaff plants . distaff ginkgo plants produce fruit , while manlike works do not . Because the fruits have a warm smell and are messy , most varieties sell to home gardeners are male .

How do I tell if my tree is male or female?

Most ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree sold at nursery and garden centers are manly . In spring , female tree develop slender upright green shoots along the ramification , while males have loll catkin - like cones . Named cultivars are male ; seedling - grown trees can be either manful or female .

What are the cons of growing ginkgo trees?

Ginkgo tree may outgrow their outer space if not selected properly . Choose dwarf and smaller mixture if you last on a smaller belongings . Avoid female industrial plant , which can produce mussy , perfumed yield .

GINKGO BILOBA LANDSCAPING TIPS

For borders and landscapes:

Ginkgocan be engraft as a street tree diagram , lawn specimen , as screen out along a holding line , or as a focal point in a bed or border .

For slopes and hillsides:

embed along a slope , ginkgo tree may assist cut wearing .

For containers:

DwarfGinkgovarieties can be planted in containers .

There are many way to utilize gingko trees in your landscape . Here ’s how :

Companion industrial plant : take companion that thrive in similar precondition of full Lord’s Day , ordinary dirt , and moderate wet . These includeazalea , bee balm , coral campana , coneflower , day lily , cornel , fern , hosta , Nipponese maple , cosmetic grasses , rhododendron , sumac , viburnum , andyarrow .