Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba (GIN-koh bih-LOW-bah)

Family: Ginkgoaceae Non-native Canopy (>40 ft)

Ginkgo is a long-lived, woody, deciduous tree in the ginkgo family (Ginkgoaceae). It is native to south-central and southeast China and is often called a living fossil because the ginkgo has existed, seemingly unchanged, for hundreds of millions of years. Dinosaurs rested in the shade of these trees! The species epithet is Latin for "two-lobed" and describes the typical leaf morphology of the species. While it tolerates a variety of soil textures and pH, ginkgo needs a site in full sun and good drainage to thrive. Avoid wet soils. Propagation is by grafting. It can grow 50 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide, but dwarf and fastigiate cultivars are available. This tree’s pyramidal shape and uniquely fan-shaped leaves are the main attractions, even more so in autumn, when the leaves turn golden yellow. Soon afterward, the ground below the trees is carpeted with golden leaves. Seeds from female trees are messy and have foul-smelling flesh, so planting grafted male trees is often preferable. The ginkgo tree is tolerant of drought, heat and air pollution and is moderately salt-tolerant, which makes it an excellent choice for urban settings, streetscapes, recreational play areas and walkways. Consider it for an Asian garden, children's garden, winter garden, or drought-tolerant garden. Its sculptural form makes it popular for use in bonsai. For more photos of various cultivars of ginkgo, go to the Design Gallery Gingko biloba Collection at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: May cause contact dermatitis. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 65 attributes.