Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgoaceae) is a slow-growing deciduous tree from eastern China, the sole surviving species of a lineage over 290 million years old. It reaches about 30 feet in cultivation with a spread of 29 feet and a pyramidal form. Distinctive fan-shaped leaves turn bright yellow in fall. The species is dioecious; female trees produce fleshy seed coatings with a notoriously foul odor, so male trees are preferred in landscapes.

Ginkgo grows in full sun on well-drained soils (pH 5.2 to 7.5) with moderate water needs, hardy in Zones 3a to 8b. It tolerates deer browse, clay soil, urban conditions, and pollution. The seeds are edible when properly prepared, and the species has extensive use in traditional medicine. Male cultivars include 'Autumn Gold,' 'Magyar,' and 'Princeton Sentry.' The dwarf cultivar 'Mariken' (2 feet) is also available.