Gingko

The gingko is a tough tree for urban conditions.Gingko has distinctive, fan-shaped leaves.Gingko (Gingko biloba) is a relic from prehistoric times as the only living representative of the Order Gingkoales, a group of about 18 gymnosperms dating to the Permian period (270 million years ago). During the Jurassic period (213 million years ago) there were 2 to 6 species in the group, and by the Cretaceous period (144 million years ago) there were at least 11 species throughout what is now Asia, Europe and North America. By the time dinosaurs became extinct only one species remained, possibly because those large animals were important for seed dispersal, and the group gradually disappeared from the fossil record in North America (7 million years ago) and Europe (2.5 million years ago). It was thought to be extinct, but was discovered by a German scientist in the late 1600's in Japan.  Rescued from the brink of extinction by Chinese Buddhist monks who cultivated it in their mountain monasteries, and in palace and temple gardens, gingko seeds were sent to Japan and Korea in the late 1100's and eventually made their way to Europe in the early 1700's and to North America later that century. Ginkgo is a long-lived tree, easily having a life span of 1,000 years or more. In China the oldest ginkgo is estimated to be 3,500 years old.

This primitive plant has a unique position botanically, as the sole living link between ferns and seed plants, and now has been placed in a separate phylum, the Ginkgophyta. Although ginkgo is deciduous it is not related to deciduous broadleaf trees (angiosperms). It is probably more closely related to the cycads than to the conifers. Extract of the dried leaves are used as an herbal medicine. Studies show that gingko may improve blood circulation and memory, and prevent bloodclotting.

The bark of a gingko becomes furrowed with age.Gingko is now grown around the world as an ornamental tree. It has a slow (especially at first) to medium growth rate and can develop into a large tree 50 to 80 feet tall. It has an open growth habit and sparsely branched, upright columnar form when young, but fills in to become more upright and spreading with age. Trees may attain a very large size, with a trunk over 3 feet in diameter. The largest living gingko on record in Wisconsin (on 13th Street in Monroe) has a trunk circumference of 192 inches, is 75 tall and 85 feet wide! They are popular in urban areas because they are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including salt spray and air pollution. Hardy in zones 4 to 8, they can be used as a shade tree in a mixed grouping or as a specimen in an area that can accommodate their large mature size. Although they are tolerant of tough urban conditions, they are best not used as a street tree because they will eventually grow much too big.

Leaves arise from both terminal stems (L) and short spur shoots (R).The gingko's most distinctive feature is its fan-shaped ("obovate") leaves. Each leaf is up to 3" long, with slightly raised veins (producing almost a ribbed appearance), generally with a single vertical slit in the top center, and on a petiole that is also up to 3" long. The leaves are clustered on numerous short spur shoots or alternate along the terminal stems. Because of their shape and long petiole, they flutter in the slightest breeze. In fall the foliage turns yellow – this may be anything from chartreuse to gold, depending on conditions and the cultivar. They remain on the tree until late in the season, then drop all at once. The leaf shape is similar to that of Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), giving rise to the common name of Maidenhair tree. 

Gingko is dioecious, so male and female flowers are borne on separate trees from spur shoots.  Male trees produce pendulous catkins, while female trees produce pendulous pistillate flowers in early spring. This species doesn't flower until it is about 20 years old. The fleshy, tan-orange, cherry-like fruits that are produced on female trees – often in great abundance – drop to the ground in the fall. The mushy fruits are very foul-smelling (like rancid butter) and the butyric acid that produces the smell may cause dermatitis in some people. This can create quite a mess, therefore most people prefer male trees for landscape use. The silvery seeds (often called nuts; they look like an oversized unopened pistachio) are edible and are often sold as a delicacy in markets in Korea, Japan and China as "silver apricot nut."

Fallen leaves are brown instead of gold because of drought stress.Plant gingko in full sun. Although it prefers moist, deep, well-drained soils, it readily adapts to poor, compacted soils and tolerates drought (although it should be kept well watered until fully established in a few years). Fall leaf color is often not as good when trees are drought stressed. This tough tree Transplants readily, and is easy to establish, has few insect and disease problems, and can handle snow and ice. Although you can grow gingko from seed (in which case you will not know the gender for at least 20 years until you see what type of flowers are produced), purchased plants are propagated primarily by cuttings from male cultivars grafted onto seedling rootstock.

Gingko 'Autumn Gold' through the seasons.

There are many varieties, although few are readily available. These cultivars are always non-fruiting (male) and were selected for improved fall color and/or modified growth habit.

Gingko 'Canopy' through the seasons.

– Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin

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