Plant Fact File: Ginkgo biloba

 In an attempt to continue expanding my plant knowledge. I have decided to create more post outlining different plants, and their characteristics and preferred conditions. Starting with Ginkgo biloba.


Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba

Deciduous

Soil: Well draining, not fussy about pH.

Height: 15-25m in 20-50 years. 

Spread: 4-8m

Aspect: Full sun.

Autumn Colour: Bright yellow. (Pictured below) 

Hardiness Zone: H6 (Hardy in UK and Northern Europe).

Pests/Diseases: Not largely susceptible to any pests or diseases, rarely affected by honey fungus.

Maintenance: Little to no pruning or regular maintenance required.

Pollution Tolerant? Yes.

Identification: Fan-like, often lobed leaves (green in spring + summer, bright yellow in autumn). Rough bark. Conical when younger, form becoming more variable when older.

Notable Characteristics: Usually dioecious, meaning seperate male and female plants, however some older specimens can bear both male and female flowers. Female plants bear yellow fruit which bear a bad smell in autumn. 

Interesting Fact: Fossils of Ginkgo biloba have been found from more than 200 million years ago. Some of the oldest living speicmens in the world are considered to be over 1,000 years old.



Source List:

Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.). Ginkgo biloba. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7990/ginkgo-biloba/details. (Accessed: 10th November 2024).

Katie Avis-Riordan. (Published: 5th May 2020). Ginkgo biloba: The tree that outlived the dinosaurs. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/ginkgo-biloba-maidenhair-tree-kew-gardens. (Accessed: 10th November 2024).

Van Den Berk UK Ltd. (n.d.). Ginkgo biloba. https://www.vdberk.co.uk/index.php/trees/ginkgo-biloba/. (Accessed: 10th November 2024).


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