The maidenhair tree, a ginkgo Biloba variety, is a beautiful addition to any garden. Fossil evidence shows that the ginkgo tree was common more than 150 million years ago, but it nearly went extinct in recent centuries. U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 9 are suitable for Gingko. Slowly, but eventually, the tree reaches 100 feet in height. You can enjoy this tree for many years if you choose the right location and take proper care of it.
What Is a Ginkgo Tree, and How Do They Grow?
Chinese deciduous forests are home to ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba), also known as maidenhair trees. In the late 1700s, this tree was brought to the United States as an ornamental specimen. A living fossil, the ginkgo tree has changed so little over the course of its 200 million-year existence that no other species in the Ginkgoaceae family exists. Fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo tree turn a brilliant shade of yellow in the autumn.
What You Need to Know About Ginkgo Trees
Ginkgo biloba trees can live up to a thousand years in the right conditions.
- In either full sun or partial shade, place your ginkgo tree. Excellent for providing shade, ginkgo trees thrive even when exposed to direct sunlight. At least four hours of sunlight should be available every day for planting.
- The planting hole should be fertilized. Place a small amount of fertilizer in the planting hole before putting in your new ginkgo tree.
- Soil drainage is an important consideration when choosing a site. It is best to grow Ginkgo trees in acidic, wet, and sandy soils. Planting ginkgo trees near the coast is a smart move. They can also be used as street trees because they are resistant to air pollution.
- Make room for your ginkgo tree. Ginkgo trees can grow to a height of fifty feet and a width of thirty feet when fully developed. Space out multiple ginkgo trees so that they have room to grow.
- If you live in a dry area, avoid planting ginkgo trees. USDA hardiness zones 4–9 are ideal for ginkgo trees. Even though mature ginkgo trees can tolerate some drought, they have difficulty growing in climates that are consistently hot and dry.
- Be patient; it will all work out in the end. Ginkgo trees can take up to twenty years to mature. A different tree species might be a better option for a hedge or windbreak in the near future.
Ginkgo Tree Care: What You Need to Know
Ginkgo trees are hardy plants that require little attention once they’ve matured.
- Young trees should be watered on a regular basis. Water your ginkgo tree several times a week during its first growing season. Ginkgo trees are drought-tolerant once they’ve established themselves.
- Ginkgo trees should be pruned every year. During the ginkgo tree’s winter dormancy, use sharp, clean shears to prune competing branches.
- Mulch the area around the tree’s trunk. Consider placing wood chips around the base of your ginkgo tree if you’re planting it in a grassy area.
- Pick a suitable selection from the available options. Trees of the ginkgo genus are dioecious, with male and female trees existing in separate groves. It’s possible that the seeds of female ginkgos have a pungent odor. Pollen produced by male ginkgo trees has the potential to aggravate allergies. ‘Autumn Gold’ and ‘Princeton Sentry’ are two popular male cultivars. Bonsai gardens make use of the smaller cultivated varieties.
Options for distributing
Ginkgo biloba has a wide variety of varieties, but female trees should be avoided. The round fruits of female ginkgo trees have an unpleasant smell, like vomit or rotting food. Fill a plastic bag with damp peat moss if you’re starting from seed. Seal the bag after you’ve buried the ginkgo seeds and added the moss. After about two to three weeks, you should start seeing signs of germination on your seeds or plants. It can take up to 30 years for a ginkgo seedling to grow into a mature tree, so you won’t know its gender until then. Taking softwood cuttings from male trees is the preferred method of propagation for the majority of gardeners.
Choosing a location
In urban areas, Ginkgo trees are a good choice because they are tolerant of pollution. Consider the mature height and canopy width of a ginkgo tree before planting it. Ginkgo trees can grow to a height of 100 feet and a width of 30 to 50 feet when fully mature. Ginkgo trees should not be planted near or under power lines or other tall structures. Avoid this.
Light, Water, and Soil
For Ginkgo Biloba trees to flourish, they need soil that drains well. Heavy clay, loam, or sandy soil are all suitable for the ginkgo tree, but sandy soil is the best of the three. A 2-inch layer of compost should be placed at the bottom of the hole when planting a ginkgo tree. No additional fertilizer is needed for Ginkgo’s growth. Ginkgo trees cannot thrive in the shade, and full sunlight is essential for their growth. During the first three to five years, keep the soil moist. Eventually, the ginkgo tree can withstand drought.
Planting in Pots
Plants that are grown in containers have similar requirements to those that are grown in the ground, but there are some differences as well. Choose a container with a lot of holes for water to drain out of. Ginkgos should be repotted in containers about two times their original size when they are replanted. Especially when it is actively growing, ginkgo kept in a container necessitates frequent watering. When the soil around your ginkgo tree begins to feel dry, it’s time to water it. Ginkgo trees can be pruned if desired in the winter.
Inquire further
Ron Finley, a self-described “Gangster Gardener,” will show you how to grow your own garden. To help your neighborhood and the world at large, you can learn how to grow your own fresh herbs and vegetables, care for your indoor plants, and use compost.
