Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)

Ginkgo biloba, also called maidenhair tree or simply 'ginkgo,' is a unique deciduous tree originally native to East Asia. Well known for its handsome fan-shaped leaves and stunning golden yellow fall color, ginkgos are considered a fossil species, with evidence of their leaves remaining largely unchanged in the fossil record for over 170 million years! Large, upright growth makes ginkgos a beautiful choice for specimen or shade tree, and attractive yellow fall color means they will work beautifully on their own or alongside other large trees.

Ginkgo biloba can reach a mature height of anywhere from 60' to 120' tall with a canopy of about 30-40' wide; in the autumn, attractive two-lobed leaves shaped like fans from vibrant greens to gorgeous golden yellow hues, and female trees begin to drop their fruit, attracting beneficial insects as well as birds and mammals that browse the pistachio sized seeds trapped within the fruit's fleshy coating. Maidenhair tree grows especially well in moist, well-draining soils, but is highly adaptable and can tolerate dry conditions, clay and nutrient poor soils, drought, salt, and deer damage, making them especially well suited as street or urban trees. Ginkgo biloba prefers full sun, and though it is not native to the US, it does not become invasive over time, and its non-native status makes it resistant to most common horticultural pests.

Note: Ginkgo trees are dioecious, meaning that different specimens can be either male or female. Female trees are the only specimens to produce fruit, and these fruits can result in a mess or landscaping nuisance, so care should be taken with choosing an appropriate planting location.