Ginkgo biloba, ginkgo, maidenhair tree
1 / 8
Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Ginkgo biloba

ginkgo, maidenhair tree

Ginkgoaceae

Eastern China (Zhejiang and Anhui provinces); cultivated in China and Japan for over a thousand years; functionally extinct in the wild

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height50–80 feet (15–24 m)
Width25–40 feet (7.5–12 m)
Maturity75 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A large deciduous tree reaching 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall and 25–40 feet (7.5–12 m) wide, representing one of the oldest surviving tree lineages on Earth — a living fossil with a fossil record extending over 200 million years. Leaves fan-shaped, 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) wide, with parallel veins radiating outward, borne on long slender petioles and resembling the leaflets of maidenhair fern but much larger. Fall color brilliant golden-yellow to gold, often developing rapidly and dropping within 1–2 weeks. Dioecious — female trees produce fleshy seeds with a strongly malodorous outer coating when ripe; plant male trees or named male cultivars to avoid this. Exceptionally long-lived, pollution-tolerant, and pest- and disease-resistant. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.

Native Range

Ginkgo biloba is native to a small area of eastern China, where a few naturally occurring populations survive in mountainous areas. It has been cultivated in China and Japan for over a thousand years, including as a sacred tree at temples and monasteries. The species is considered functionally extinct in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Used as a large-scale specimen or street tree in parks, campuses, and large residential landscapes at 25–40 foot (7.5–12 m) spacing. The brilliant sudden golden fall color, unique fan-shaped leaf, and extraordinary longevity make it one of the most distinctive deciduous trees for large-scale use. Plant male trees or male cultivars only. Exceptional tolerance of urban conditions makes it a reliable street tree and parking lot tree choice.

How to Identify

Unmistakable: the only tree with fan-shaped, parallel-veined leaves with two lobes (biloba — two-lobed), notched at the center, on long flexible petioles 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) wide. No other commonly cultivated tree has this leaf shape. In fall, the tree often turns a uniform brilliant golden-yellow before dropping all leaves simultaneously within a few days. Bark gray-brown, becoming deeply furrowed with age.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 75 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Dioecious. Male trees produce slender catkin-like pollen structures in spring. Female trees produce fleshy, plum-like seeds 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) diameter ripening greenish-yellow in fall. The seed's fleshy outer layer has a strongly unpleasant odor when ripe — a primary reason male trees or selected male cultivars (Autumn Gold, Princeton Sentry, Magyar) are strongly preferred for landscape use.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Summer: medium to dark green; Fall: brilliant golden-yellow to gold, often developing rapidly and dropping within 1–2 weeks

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandclay
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

50–100 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in deep, moist, well-drained sandy loam soil. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, drought once established, and a wide pH range. Space 25–40 feet (7.5–12 m) apart. Water regularly during establishment. Essentially pest- and disease-free. Plant male trees or named male cultivars to avoid the malodorous fruit of female trees. Slow-growing — 12–15 inches (30–38 cm) per year when young.

Pruning

Requires minimal pruning. Preserve the central leader during establishment years. Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter. Ginkgos develop an irregular somewhat pyramidal form when young, becoming more spreading and picturesque with age. Avoid major pruning.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans