Brighten up autumn skies with the sunny leaves of ginkgoes.
One of the oldest tree species on the planet is the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).
Thisdeciduous treeis a living fossil also called the maidenhair tree.
Credit: Roger Foley
Buddhists beautified their temple gardens for centuries with ginkgoes, some of which are over a thousand years old.
A scientific experiment in 1929 became something breathtaking.
He theorized a single tree’s sprout seeds would have a one-to-one ratio of male-to-female saplings.
Today, ginkgos are a popular tree for parks and roadways because of their tolerance of the urban setting.
Planted in spring, the slow-growing trees showcase fan-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall.
They grow a foot or two a year to eventually become a 50-to-80 foot shade tree.
Here’s what to know about caring for a ginkgo in your garden.
The trees tolerate pollution, heat, and moderate salt exposure, but must have soil with good drainage.
Though ginkgoes can handle periods of dryness, they do best with moderate moisture.
They mature into a pleasing, pyramidal shape and require little pruning.
The trees prefer moist, well-drained soil and grow best in sandy soil.
They are also tolerant of compacted soil making them a good choice for urban areas.
Ginkgo trees aresuitable for coastal areas.
Water
Ginkgos should not be planted in overly wet soil.
Though moderately drought-resistant once established, ginkgos do best with consistent moisture during the first few years of growth.
Water a few times a week during dry spells.
Temperature And Humidity
Avoid planting ginkgos in overly hot, dry climates.
These trees need proper watering to thrive, especially when establishing roots.
Areas with a temperate climatenot too hot in the summer or cold in the winterare best.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the planting hole before growing a new ginkgo tree.
Plant these trees in the spring for the best results.
A balanced, slow-release fertilizer will help encourage new growth, but mature trees don’t require anything.
Remove competing branches with a sharp garden shear.
Since these trees mature to have large canopies, you might choose to narrow their shape.
Propagating Ginkgo Trees
Propagating ginkgo trees is most straightforward when using stem cuttings.
It is still possible to grow ginkgo trees from seeds, but it is a more advanced process.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Mature ginkgo trees are relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
Root-knot nematodes are tiny worms that prevent this tree from absorbing all the necessary soil nutrients.
The soil-borne disease, root rot, can also happen when mismanaging soil nutrients or watering habits.
To avoid dealing with this, choose male gingko trees that do not bear fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fruits of female ginkgos trees are messy, foul-smelling, and toxic.
Select male trees to avoid the fruit.
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