Ginkgo biloba – also called maidenhair tree
Family: Ginkgoaceae
Origin: Southeastern China
The Ginkgo is a tall deciduous tree. Slow growing, it can reach a height of 50 to 80 feet and a spread from 25 to 40 feet.
When the tree is young, the trunk bark is light gray becoming darker with irregular furrows as the tree matures. The leaves are flat and fan-shaped. They start bright green in the summer, turning to yellow in the fall before dropping like brilliant golden snowflakes carpeting the ground underneath. It is a beautiful sight to see.
The ginkgo flowers are unnoticeable and fragrant. The female variety produces fruit that looks like small plums that drop when ripe and have a foul smell when crushed by people walking on it. It can also cause a slip hazard. To avoid this nuisance, make sure you plant only male-grafted cultivars. The fruit is however considered a delicacy in the Orient where the inside seed is roasted before it is consumed.
The Ginkgo adapts to any soil conditions and withstands air pollution. It is drought tolerant, grows in partial shade but does better in full sun and is not recommended underneath power lines.
The Ginkgo can be found as a street tree in medians and in parks. When given ample room to grow, the tree exhibits wide spreading branches. If space is tight, try and plant something called “Fairmont” which grows in a conical form or the “Princeton Sentry” which has an even narrower column-like shape.
The Ginkgo does not require a lot of maintenance. It can benefit from some light spring pruning when young but hardly needs any when mature. It does not have any significant known pest problems and is resistant to oak root fungus.
When asked about the VRG Gingko tree, Superintendent Emeritus Tim Lindsay said that as evident in historic photographs in the late 20’s, the tree was planted in that era. This is a female tree which produces stinky fruit. The Ginkgo tree was apparently Virginia’s favorite tree in the autumn. The yellow leaves reminded her of butter, and she loved seeing the contrast of the golden leaves when they fell on the musical brick steps. (Virginia called this water feature “Musical Stairs” because the sound of the falling water on the brick stairs created a soothing melody.)
It is worthy to note that the Ginkgo is considered one of the oldest living trees. Research and fossil records show that the Ginkgo existed during the Jurassic period millions of years ago.
Post by Emina Darakjy
Friends of Robinson Gardens Society Member and Garden Tour Volunteer
Photos by Emina Darakjy and Josh Johnston
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