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Ginkgo biloba is a living fossil, dating back over 250 million years, the last surviving member of it's family,
Ginkgoacaea. Foliage is light to medium green, fan-shaped (they resemble the Maidenhair fern,
Adiantum, hence the common name) and occurring on short shoots, turning golden in autumn.
Ginkgo produce male (penulous, short catkins) and female flowers on separate trees. Fruit occurs on
the female trees, and is yellow green to orange brown when ripe, with a particularly nasty odor,
containing a single seed. Unlike other higher trees, pollination is achieved by motile spores, which is
normal to ferns. Ginkgo can grow over 100 ft (30m) or more in the landscape, and are very long lived.
Ginkgo are wonderful, both in the landscape and as bonsai. They have a high tolerance for adverse conditions,
tolerating cold, heat, humidity, polluted air and a variety of soil types.
Hardiness: Zone 3 in the landscape. Zone 5 and up with winter protection in bonsai cultivation. Take careful notice
of roots, and keep them from freezing for prolonged periods. Keep in an insulated garage or shed for the winter,
or a cold frame that stays above freezing if possible.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Will grow in almost any soil in nature. Use a standard bonsai mix suited to your area.
Watering: Water well in growing season. Lessen in winter, keeping roots barely moist, just enough to keep it from
drying out completely.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed through the growing season.
Pests and Diseases: Largely pest free.
Repotting: One to five years, depending on the age of the tree. Repot in spring, before new growth begins, and be
sure to give extra protection from late frosts. Root prune lightly, as they have a lower tolerance for serious root
reduction.
Pruning and Styling: Ginkgo resent pruning, and as a result, many ginkgo bonsai have a similar look, due to the
nature of how they show their dislike. Pruned branches are prone to dieback even further either shortly after being
pruned or the following winter. This can result in a heavy trunk with relatively few, slightly upward facing
branches. Twigs will grow in clusters from the branches. As the growth and replacement of branches is repeated
over the years, in can result in interesting, gnarled areas on the trunk. Fortunately, not *all* shoots will dieback, but
predicting which ones will and which ones won't is nearly impossible. Prune back to two or three leaves from new
growth, which will leave a little extra leeway for dieback. New branches will grow in the direction of the last leaf
on the branch, so keep that in mind when pruning. Remove branches that died over the winter in early spring, as
swelling buds will inform you of what has made it through the winter.
Pruning wounds do not heal over with ginkgo as they do with most other species. Do not make concave cuts, or
even cut flush to the trunk. Instead leave short stubs of old branches, and remove them gently a year or so later as
they dry out.
Avoid wiring unless strictly necessary, as the bark is *very* easily damaged. Wrap branches in raffia if wiring is
required and check the tree regularly to keep the wire from biting in.
Propagation:
Styles and Forms: Broom, formal and informal upright, clump, forest.
Species and Cultivars: 'Aurea' Yellow leaves in summer.
'Autumn Gold' Male cultivar with a broad, symetrical growth and intense autumn colour.
'Pendula' a cultivar with nodding branches.
'Princeton Sentry' Male cultivar with an upright tapered form.
'Variegata' Variegated cultivar with strong white-yellow stripes on the leaves.
Other Information: Choose male trees when possible, as the fruit of the female trees is singularly unpleasant, unless
you are looking to begin more ginkgo from seed.
Don't worry if it seems as though a ginkgo isn't growing much for a year or two. They are known for having
periods of slow, ponderous growth, followed by a year or two of sudden bolting growth.
Ginkgoacaea. Foliage is light to medium green, fan-shaped (they resemble the Maidenhair fern,
Adiantum, hence the common name) and occurring on short shoots, turning golden in autumn.
Ginkgo produce male (penulous, short catkins) and female flowers on separate trees. Fruit occurs on
the female trees, and is yellow green to orange brown when ripe, with a particularly nasty odor,
containing a single seed. Unlike other higher trees, pollination is achieved by motile spores, which is
normal to ferns. Ginkgo can grow over 100 ft (30m) or more in the landscape, and are very long lived.
Ginkgo are wonderful, both in the landscape and as bonsai. They have a high tolerance for adverse conditions,
tolerating cold, heat, humidity, polluted air and a variety of soil types.
Hardiness: Zone 3 in the landscape. Zone 5 and up with winter protection in bonsai cultivation. Take careful notice
of roots, and keep them from freezing for prolonged periods. Keep in an insulated garage or shed for the winter,
or a cold frame that stays above freezing if possible.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Will grow in almost any soil in nature. Use a standard bonsai mix suited to your area.
Watering: Water well in growing season. Lessen in winter, keeping roots barely moist, just enough to keep it from
drying out completely.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed through the growing season.
Pests and Diseases: Largely pest free.
Repotting: One to five years, depending on the age of the tree. Repot in spring, before new growth begins, and be
sure to give extra protection from late frosts. Root prune lightly, as they have a lower tolerance for serious root
reduction.
Pruning and Styling: Ginkgo resent pruning, and as a result, many ginkgo bonsai have a similar look, due to the
nature of how they show their dislike. Pruned branches are prone to dieback even further either shortly after being
pruned or the following winter. This can result in a heavy trunk with relatively few, slightly upward facing
branches. Twigs will grow in clusters from the branches. As the growth and replacement of branches is repeated
over the years, in can result in interesting, gnarled areas on the trunk. Fortunately, not *all* shoots will dieback, but
predicting which ones will and which ones won't is nearly impossible. Prune back to two or three leaves from new
growth, which will leave a little extra leeway for dieback. New branches will grow in the direction of the last leaf
on the branch, so keep that in mind when pruning. Remove branches that died over the winter in early spring, as
swelling buds will inform you of what has made it through the winter.
Pruning wounds do not heal over with ginkgo as they do with most other species. Do not make concave cuts, or
even cut flush to the trunk. Instead leave short stubs of old branches, and remove them gently a year or so later as
they dry out.
Avoid wiring unless strictly necessary, as the bark is *very* easily damaged. Wrap branches in raffia if wiring is
required and check the tree regularly to keep the wire from biting in.
Propagation:
Styles and Forms: Broom, formal and informal upright, clump, forest.
Species and Cultivars: 'Aurea' Yellow leaves in summer.
'Autumn Gold' Male cultivar with a broad, symetrical growth and intense autumn colour.
'Pendula' a cultivar with nodding branches.
'Princeton Sentry' Male cultivar with an upright tapered form.
'Variegata' Variegated cultivar with strong white-yellow stripes on the leaves.
Other Information: Choose male trees when possible, as the fruit of the female trees is singularly unpleasant, unless
you are looking to begin more ginkgo from seed.
Don't worry if it seems as though a ginkgo isn't growing much for a year or two. They are known for having
periods of slow, ponderous growth, followed by a year or two of sudden bolting growth.
Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
The leaf of this Eastern tree
Which has been entrusted to my garden
Offers a feast of secret significance,
For the edification of the initiate.
Which has been entrusted to my garden
Offers a feast of secret significance,
For the edification of the initiate.
Is it one living thing
That has become divided within itself?
Are these two who have chosen each other,
So that we know them as one?
That has become divided within itself?
Are these two who have chosen each other,
So that we know them as one?
I think I have found the right answer
To these questions;
Do my songs not make you feel
That I am both one and twain?
To these questions;
Do my songs not make you feel
That I am both one and twain?
Ginkgo Biloba
By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe