Ginkgo Biloba Tree

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Height: 70 feet Spread: 60 feet Sunlight: Full sun Hardiness Zone: 4a Other Names: Maidenhair Tree
 
Description: The Ginkgo is a true relic from 150 million years ago, known for its uniquely fan-shaped leaves. With its beautiful form and habit of growth, it provides stunning golden fall color. It is important to choose male plants for landscape use, as female plants produce fruit that smells foul when decomposing.
 
Ornamental Features:
Foliage: Emerald green deciduous foliage with fan-shaped leaves that turn an outstanding yellow in the fall.
Fruit: Can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up.
 
Landscape Attributes:
Open deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form.
Average texture that blends into the landscape but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
High-maintenance tree requiring regular care and upkeep. Best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
Deer tend to avoid this plant in favor of tastier treats.
Gardeners should be aware of the potential mess from the fruit.
 
Recommended Uses:
Shade
 
Planting & Growing:
Grows to about 70 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 60 feet.
High canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, making it unsuitable for planting under power lines. Lower branches can be strategically removed as it matures to create a high canopy that allows unobstructed human traffic underneath.
Grows at a slow rate and can live to a ripe old age of 150 years or more, making it a heritage tree for future generations.
Thrives in full sunlight.
Very adaptable to both dry and moist locations; does well under average home landscape conditions. May require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat.
Not particular about soil type or pH, and able to handle environmental salt.
Highly tolerant of urban pollution and will thrive in inner-city environments.
Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates.
This species is not originally from North America.