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.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
50-80 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ginkgo in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Ginkgo · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). 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: Autumn Gold, 'Bryson City', chi chi, 'Golden Globe', Jade Butterfly, 'Mariken', Princeton Sentry, Saratoga, Sky Tower, Weeping Wonder. 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
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: The seed, freed of the outer pulp and washed, is boiled or roasted and eaten.
History & Origin
Origin: China South-Central and China Southeast
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat, Pollution, Salt, Urban Conditions
- +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
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