Botanical name              Ginkgo biloba

Alternative names                       none known

Common name(s)                     Maidenhair Tree

Description

A very unusual, deciduous, upright, conifer tree, columnar, then spreading, with furrowed grey bark. This tree makes a very attractive ornamental, and is much planted in parks and gardens.

Hardiness

Fully hardy in the UK

Height/spread

Ultimate height up to 100 ft, and spread to 25 ft.

Soil type

Suitable for all soil types, but prefers a fertile well drained soil in full sun.

General

A native of China, but probably now extinct in the wild. This tree is the only one of its genus, and is commonly known as the living fossil. The very distinctive leaves are fan shaped and notched, with radiating veins, bright green turning to a beautiful butter yellow in Autumn before being shed. Male and female flowers are born on separate trees, the females being rare. It is not possible to predict which tree is which until they actually flower. Fruits are plum like and fleshy with an edible nut. The smell of the decaying fruit is not pleasant.