Ginkgo or Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo biloba
Planted 1986

The Ginkgo tree is an ancient, prehistoric tree. It has been around for about 150 million years. It is easier to identify than other trees due to its fan like leaves. It is highly recommended to plant male trees because the female trees produce a rancid smelling fleshy fruit.

Ginkgo tree
 
Close up of Ginkgo tree leaf
 
Ginkgo tree bark
Height Width Zone Growth Rate Water Use
50-80 ft. 30-40 ft. 3-9 Medium Medium

Leaf

Alternate, simple, 2-3" long. Leaf shaped, bright green in the summer and yellow in the fall. The leaves fall off the tree very quickly in the fall.

Fruit

On female trees only, light orange to tan in color with a foul, rotting smell.

Flower

1" non-showy catkin.

Advantages

Adapts to different soil types, unique leaf shape, drought tolerant.

Disadvantages

Fruit from female tree smells horrible. Leaves are messy in the fall, falling rapidly.