Ginkgo biloba
MAIDENHAIR TREE
Family: Ginkgoaceae
Pronounced: GINK-go bi-LOW-bah
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
Origin:
Southern China.
Plant Group:
Trees.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: A3; 1-10, 12, 14-24.
USDA zones: 4-9.
Mature size:
Height: 100 feet (30 m).
Width: 25 feet (8 m).
Flowering period:
March-April.
Flowering attributes:
Male flowers are 1-inch long catkins. Female flowers are 1 ½ to 2-inch long pedicels bearing 1 or 2 green ovules, followed by a tan to orange, 1 to 1 ½-inches long seed with a fleshy covering, shaped like a plum.
Leaf attributes:
Bright green leaves turn a wonderful yellow in fall. Clusters of 3-5 or single leaves on long shoots. Alternate leaves are fan-shaped and 2 to 3-inches long and wide.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
G. biloba prefers sandy, deep, moist soil, but will grow in almost any soil.
Feeding:
None.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed in containers as soon as ripe in autumn.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Pruning Methods:
Young nursery grown trees may not grow if they are pruned in summer. Prune in late winter to early spring to remove crossing branches or wayward shoots to maintain a healthy framework.
Pests and Diseases:
Although not commonly a problem, some fungal leaf spots may occur, which are not overly problematic for the tree. The trees are not bothered by insects or diseases.
Rainy Side Notes
Ginkgo biloba has a rich history surrounding it. During prehistoric times, the deciduous ginkgo grew around the world. It earns the name survivor after growing on this earth over 200 million years ago, when the tree was prolific around the world. It is possibly the oldest living seed plant in the world. The number of trees declined after dinosaurs became extinct. It is believed, that they spread the seed.
In modern times, this living fossil is native to two small areas in China. Although no one is certain, the tree may be extinct in the wild. The maidenhair tree is long-lived, some trees growing for 3,000 years. When we look at a ginkgo tree, we can imagine a link to prehistoric eras, long before mammals became prolific on this planet.
On August 6, 1945, the United States exploded an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. A ginkgo tree standing next to a temple, 1.5 km away from the center of the explosion, survived the blast that destroyed the temple next to it. They rebuilt the temple with stairs that surround the surviving tree. An engraving on it says, "No more Hiroshima." Three other trees survived the blast and remain alive today. The Japanese consider them the bearers of hope.
Another historical year for the tree, in 1784, William Hamilton in Pennsylvania reintroduced the tree to the United States.
Ginkgo's fan-shaped foliage resembles the maidenhair fern's distinct foliage. It's how it came to have the common name — maidenhair tree. In spring, the leaves are bright green. In autumn, they turn golden and hang on the tree for a long time. When the leaves finally fall, they do it quickly and cleanly, leaving a lovely carpet of gold on the ground.
Maidenhair trees transplant easily, and thrive in the Pacific Northwest. Carefully choose plants that are not root bound in their pots. Young trees have an awkward lanky period. When they mature, they grow out of it.
The fruit of the maidenhair tree is produced only on the female. There is no delicate way to describe the odor of rotting fruit. The stench is like vomit or poop. Plant a male tree if you do not want a rotting fruit mess with the subsequential odor. Choose a named clone, not a seedling, to ensure you receive the right one.
Some cities planted rows of these beautiful trees along their streets without regard to the mess and rotting fragrance each year. I have heard complaints from people living near these street trees. If you want fruit, you will need both a female and a male tree.
Medicinally*, ginkgo is used to treat cerebrovascular problems. The Chinese used the leaves for the last 2800 years for many ailments. Today they use it to strengthen the heart and lungs and to treat chilblains. Germany approved the use of ginkgo in treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Although the treatments do not cure the disease, it helps treat the symptoms. Both the Chinese and Japanese use the seeds for other medicinal and culinary purposes. Ginkgo biloba is used to help memory; I use it myself for this purpose.
The name gingko comes from the Chinese word, ginkyo, meaning silver apricot, describing the seed from the tree. Biloba is Latin for two-lobed, describing the leaf that is fan-shaped and split in the middle.
Ginkgo biloba 'Tubifolia' fall leaves.
Ginkgo biloba 'White Lightening'
Photographed at the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden in Southern Washington.
Fall leaves photographed at Savage Plants & Landscape in Kingston, Washington.
G. 'White Lightening' photographed at Dancing Oaks Nursery in Monmouth, Oregon.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton