GINGKO

(GINGKO BILOBA)

 

Location: There are several Gingkos on the course found right and left of No. 2 and right of No. 11.

Tree information: Also known as ‘The Maidenhair Tree’.  It is found in fossils dating back 270 million years (this is one of the main Trees in the Petrified forest state park near Vantage, WA).  All other species of the Gingkophya division are extinct.  The trees are dioecious thus having separate sexes.  The males have small pollen cones, the females produce seeds with a fleshy outer layer. Unfortunately, the fruit is attractive to look at but contains butyric acid and as it decays has the strong odor of vomit.  One always tries to plant male clones but sometimes the sex difference does not manifest for over 25 years and the difficult dilemma ensues.  Though long used as medical supplements for memory, circulation, headaches depression and tinnitus, recent careful medical studies found Gingko useless on all counts.

Size: They may grow to heights of 115’ and some specimens are dated to 2500 years old.  



Growth rate: Slow
 
Foliage description: Alternate in clusters of 3 to 5 with typical bilobed appearance.  Fall color is brilliant yellow.  Often all the leaves on a given tree fall in one day.
 
  

USDA hardiness zone: 4 to 8

Provenance: Birch Creek Garden Company.