Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

An ancient living fossil tree prized for its unique fan-shaped leaves that turn brilliant golden yellow in fall. Extremely hardy and pollution-tolerant, making it perfect for urban environments where other trees struggle. This slow-growing beauty becomes a stunning specimen tree that can live for centuries.

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

50-80 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for Ginkgo in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 shade-tree →

Zone Map

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Ginkgo · Zones 3–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing30-50 feet

SoilAdaptable to most soils, prefers well-drained

pH5.0-8.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorN/A (ornamental tree)

ColorGreen leaves turn bright golden yellow in fall

SizeFan-shaped leaves 2-4 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	—
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet, more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

As a gymnosperm, Ginkgo does not produce fruit but its seeds (only on female trees) are plumlike, yellow-orange, the outer, fleshy pulp foul-smelling when ripe, the inner wall hard, smooth, and cream colored. When the seeds fall to the ground they can be quite messy. Most of the ornamental ginkgoes in the United States are male.

Color: Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Orange. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall

Edibility: The seed, freed of the outer pulp and washed, is boiled or roasted and eaten.

Storage & Preservation

Ginkgo trees do not require storage or preservation in the traditional sense as they are ornamental shade trees, not harvested for edible or perishable parts. For ginkgo seeds (if collected), store in cool, dry conditions at 40-50°F with 30-40% humidity to maintain viability for up to 2 years. Dried leaves can be preserved by pressing between paper in a cool, dark location or dried in paper bags. For medicinal leaf use, hang-dry in bundles in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, then store in airtight containers away from moisture.

History & Origin

Origin: China South-Central and China Southeast

Advantages

+Edible: The seed, freed of the outer pulp and washed, is boiled or roasted and eaten.

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

The shade-tolerant plants in this list — Hosta, Astilbe, Heuchera, Japanese Painted Fern, and Caladium — work under a ginkgo for a simple structural reason: they're adapted to the dry, low-light pocket that develops beneath a mature canopy. A ginkgo's roots run deep and don't compete aggressively at the 6-12 inch depth where these perennials and annuals feed. Impatiens and Begonia fill the same niche for seasonal color. Give them all an 18-24 inch buffer from the trunk so you're not tearing up surface roots every time you replant annuals.

Walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone through its roots and leaf litter — a compound that actively suppresses surrounding plants and can persist in soil for years after the tree is gone. Eucalyptus drops allelopathic oils through its own leaf litter and creates a similarly hostile zone. Mint won't hurt the ginkgo itself, but it spreads by runners fast enough to smother the lower-growing companions you've planted underneath — not a fight worth starting.

Plant Together

Hosta

Thrives in dappled shade under ginkgo canopy, complements with contrasting foliage texture

Astilbe

Enjoys partial shade conditions and moist soil beneath ginkgo trees

Heuchera

Tolerates shade and benefits from protection of ginkgo's canopy

Japanese Painted Fern

Thrives in shade with well-draining soil that ginkgo provides

Caladium

Benefits from filtered light and wind protection under ginkgo canopy

Impatiens

Flourishes in partial shade conditions created by mature ginkgo trees

Lamium

Ground cover that tolerates shade and helps suppress weeds under ginkgo

Begonia

Prefers dappled sunlight and protection from harsh afternoon sun

Keep Apart

Walnut

Produces juglone which can inhibit ginkgo root development and overall growth

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that can suppress ginkgo seedling establishment

Mint

Aggressive spreading can compete with ginkgo's shallow feeder roots for nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent - virtually disease and pest free

Common Pests

Very few - scale insects occasionally

Diseases

Extremely disease resistant

Troubleshooting Ginkgo

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves yellowing and dropping in midsummer, well before fall — tree looks stressed rather than seasonal

Likely Causes

Prolonged drought stress — ginkgos need consistent moisture especially in the first 3-5 years after planting
Compacted or waterlogged soil restricting root oxygen

What to Do

1.Deep-water weekly during dry stretches — slow and deep, not a quick surface spray; aim for 10-15 gallons per inch of trunk diameter
2.Pull back any mulch piled against the trunk and reapply it in a 3-4 inch layer starting 6 inches out from the base to retain moisture without rotting the bark
3.If the site stays wet after rain, check whether the planting hole is acting as a bathtub — ginkgo handles a wide pH range (5.0–8.0) but not standing water

Sticky residue or sooty black coating on leaves and branches, with small bumps along the bark

Likely Causes

Scale insects (oystershell scale or cottony maple scale are the usual suspects) — rare on ginkgo but more likely on trees already weakened by drought or poor siting
The sooty mold is secondary, colonizing the honeydew the scale excretes rather than attacking the tree directly

What to Do

1.Scrub small infestations off young branches with a stiff brush and diluted insecticidal soap
2.Apply horticultural oil at dormant rate in late winter before buds break — coat all bark surfaces, not just the visible bumps
3.A ginkgo getting 6+ hours of sun and adequate water almost never develops a scale problem worth worrying about; fix the growing conditions first

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a ginkgo tree to mature?▼

Ginkgo trees are slow growers that can take 20-35 years to reach full maturity (40-50 feet tall). However, they begin producing their stunning fall color within 3-5 years of planting. Young trees may take 15-20 years before flowering/fruiting begins. Their longevity is exceptional—they can live 1,000+ years, making them true long-term landscape investments.

Is ginkgo a good tree for beginners?▼

Yes, ginkgo is excellent for beginners. It's extremely hardy, adaptable to various soil types, and tolerant of pollution, making it forgiving of different growing conditions. It requires minimal maintenance once established, has few pest or disease problems, and grows well in urban environments. Its only drawback is that male trees produce foul-smelling fruits, so select female cultivars for home landscapes.

Can you grow ginkgo in containers?▼

While ginkgo can technically be grown in large containers initially, it's not ideal long-term. Young trees may thrive in 20+ gallon containers for several years, but their deep root system and eventual large size (40-50+ feet) make in-ground planting the best choice. Container growing limits growth potential and longevity. If space-constrained, consider dwarf cultivars like 'Autumn Gold' or 'Mariken'.

When should I plant a ginkgo tree?▼

Plant ginkgo in early spring (March-April) or fall (September-October) in temperate climates. Spring planting gives roots time to establish before winter. Fall planting works well in areas with consistent moisture. Choose a location with full sun (6+ hours daily) and well-drained soil. Ginkgos tolerate transplanting well even when larger, making them flexible for various planting windows.

Why do ginkgo trees smell bad?▼

The foul odor comes from the fleshy fruit of female ginkgo trees, which smells like rotten eggs or gym socks when they mature and fall in autumn. The smell is caused by butyric acid in the fruit pulp. Male trees don't produce this odor since they lack fruit. Most urban plantings use male cultivars like 'Autumn Gold' or 'Princeton Sentry' to avoid the unpleasant smell in neighborhoods.

How bright yellow do ginkgo leaves turn in fall?▼

Ginkgo trees produce stunning, brilliant golden-yellow fall foliage that is one of their defining features. The color change is dependable and vibrant, typically occurring in late October through November in temperate zones. The entire canopy often turns color simultaneously over just 1-2 weeks, creating a dramatic display. Fall color is particularly vivid in years with cool temperatures and adequate autumn moisture.