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Maidenhair tree

Ginkgo biloba

GINK-oh by-LO-bah Audio

One of the oldest tree species on the planet, ginkgo grows only about a foot a year, reaching 50 to 80 feet. Female trees set fleshy fruit that smell unpleasant as they decay; they contain edible nuts.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsDistinctive fan-shaped foliage turns a brilliant clear yellow in fall. Color lasts until first freeze, defoliating almost overnight. Light brown or gray-brown furrowed bark becomes darker and more pronounced as it ages. Insignificant, catkin-like pendulous male flowers are borne in clusters in spring. 'Jade Butterflies' has a shrubby habit reaching only 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

CareThrives in moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates poor, compacted soil, as well as heat, drought, salt spray, and air pollution.

PropagationSemi-ripe cuttings in summer. Graft in winter.

ProblemsFungal leaf spots, mealybugs, lesion nematode, root rots

  • Genus : Ginkgo
  • Plant Width : 15 to 30 feet
  • Plant Height : 30 feet or more
  • Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Tolerance : Drought Tolerant
  • Moisture : Dry to Medium
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Fall Interest
  • Light : Full Sun
  • Characteristics : Interesting Bark, Showy Fall Foliage, Showy Foliage
  • Growth Rate : Slow
  • Bloom Time : Spring
  • Plant Type : Trees
  • Flower Color : Yellow

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