You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
A symbol of love, peace, hope and longevity, the Maidenhair Tree has withstood the Ice Age and the bombings in Japan in WWII. It is an amazing testament to endurance and strength and lives on as a survivor with healing capabilities.
Fossils found of leaves related to the modern Ginkgo date back some 270 million years. What we today call Ginkgo biloba include the only two known species of the tree in fossil form, G. adiantoide and G. gardneri. Having survived the Ice Age, its only living descendents were found in a small area of central China. Thus, having no close living relatives, it is uniquely and singly placed in its own family and genus being the only extant species in its group. This fact alone has made the mass plantings of Ginkgos paramount to forestalling its extinction. Surviving Ginkgo trees have been cared for and preserved by Chinese monks for over a thousand years.
The Chinese name for this tree is yínguo (silver fruit) and yinxing (silver apricot or white fruit) and was translated into Japanese as ichō, pronounced as ginkyo. It was later misspelled as ginkgo by the first westerner to see and record this species in 1690 and that is the name we use today although it is often misspelled as gingko.
Maidenhair Trees grow very tall, change colors in Autumn and some of the oldest in China are reported at 164 feet tall. They have separate sexes with the female tree producing the seeds and nuts and being the more attractive of the two growing more round and fuller. However, the male tree is usually the tree of choice because the outer layer of the seeds contain an irritating acid and its’ scent is said to resemble the smell of rancid butter.
It is a very hardy tree and grows in poor soil in the worst conditions. A popular urban tree planted along many streets as shade trees, they withstand harsh conditions and rarely suffer from diesese. Its wood is insect resistant which makes it a long lived specimen. A 3,000 year old tree lives in Shangdon, China and the remains of these trees still live in Japan after the WWII bombings . When the lands were descimated these trees still stood, scarred but alive. It was doubtful that anything would grow here again but Ginkgo resprouted the following spring and the bark has since been thought of as fire proof making the tree known as a symbol of longevity, peace, and hope.
Its unique leaf shape has been used in art as a symbol all over the world. Yoko Ono’s “Wish Tree” planted in memory of John Lennon is a Ginkgo. A stately specimen graces the home of Frank Lloyd Wright and it is widely used on college and university campuses as a symbol of wisdom.
What Charles Darwin referred to as a “living fossil” has been a part of Chinese medicine for centuries where its nuts were once used for currency. The nuts inside the seed pods are also a traditional asian food served at weddings and festivals and can be bought in cans at asian stores as “White Nuts”. In addition to being an aphrodisiac, the leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids, and in ancient times the bark, the leaves and the seeds of the Ginkgo tree were used to cure various disorders such as wounds and inflammations, vertigo, to strengthen the memory, to ease bronchial troubles and to further the blood circulation and the digestion.
To make a tea use 1-2 teaspoons of dried, chopped, and washed leaves, or 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped leaves to 250ml boiling water. Place the leaves in a suitable tea infuser or mesh tea ball, put it in a tea pot and add boiling hot water. Steep for 7-8 minutes. Remove the tea infuser or mesh tea ball and, if wanted, add ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup. Also try adding this infusion to your favorite tea.
All the amazing qualities of this tree make it a must have for any garden including its beauty, healing properties, maintenance free habits, and preservation of an ancient artifact. Plant your Ginkgo as a symbol of peace and love.
Photos are used by permission of the photographer Cor Kwant from The Ginkgo Pages expressly for use on Dave's Garden.com
This beautiful mountain pic of Ginkgo is used by permission of the talented photographer Jimmy Shen.
About Joyce B. Gladden
I am a transplanted New Yorker, writer, and novice gardener learning more and more each season. My plant of choice is Coleus (growing to include roses and others as I become more passionate about gardening). Other long time interests include book collecting and quilting.
Posted by Pagancat (from Gainesboro, TN) on November 10, 2007 at 9:02 AM:
Thanks for all the time you put into collecting those pictures - the unique shape of the ginkgo (or however you spelll it!) leaf is a delight.
...
Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on November 11, 2007 at 12:28 AM:
Saw a potted and espaliered ginkgo at a nursery here. Sign says it will be 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide but only a few feet in depth. First set of horizontal branches is two feet above the soil level. Second set is 4 feet higher. Am I correct in assuming it will now grow from the bottom and the top "T" will always be the top of the tree? They were busy, there was no price on the tree but I'll call in a few days and see what it is going for. I need a tall, wide flat tree like this to add color and interest to the south wall of that Scottish castle I'm going to buy when I win the lottery.
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 11, 2007 at 12:32 PM:
LOL
It would be an interesting specimen for the conservatory I'm going to inherit when my long lost wealthy Uncle leaves me his estate :-)
...
Posted by alicemv (from Aquebogue, NY) on November 12, 2007 at 10:18 AM:
Thank you for the article. Very interesting, and beautiful photos!
I do have a Ginkgo and learned a bit about it in school.
Mine is grafted, about 8 + feet tall in a windy spot, but it loves it there. I named it for my mom who passed away 6 years ago.
Thanks again.
...
Subject: Looking for South Louisiana gardeners
Posted by romag (from New Orleans, LA) on November 7, 2007 at 6:27 PM:
I live in NO, LA and would like to connect with some others in the New Orleans area!
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 7, 2007 at 7:18 PM:
Hi romag,
This might be the best place to start.... Search by your zone, and then you should close in on a few closer to you.
Posted by GrandmaMary (from Smith's Parish
(Bermuda)) on November 7, 2007 at 2:26 PM:
I found the article very interesting. I had never heard of a Maidenhair Tree before, only Maidenhair Fern, which my mother excitedly discovered growing wild when we came to Bermuda from England back in 1946! The shape of the leaves seems similar, so I guess that is why the similar names.
Although the article mentioned these trees can flourish in poor soil and harsh conditions, it did not say what type of climate they prefer.
On another subject, can anyone help me with a problem I have on my oleander hedge? It seems to have something like black mold on the branches and one part of the hedge has actually died. I am thinking of spraying with Neem, but not sure if this will help.
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 7, 2007 at 4:29 PM:
GrandmaMary
You live in one of God's paradises! I lived in St. Davids from 1987-89 and didn't want to leave. The zones listed are 3-9 for the Ginkgo. What zone would Bermuda be? I didnt grow much when I was there but survived Hurricane Emily. Do you have pics of your garden?
Joyce
...
Subject: Pic of Ginkgo fruits and nuts
Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on November 5, 2007 at 8:51 PM:
Not something you want to keep in the house when its this ripe but the smell isn't as offensive (to me at least) as I've read. Removed the pulp from a few fruits to show the nuts (seeds?). They are below and between the two leaves. This pile came in for the photo and is now in a plastic bag outside.
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 5, 2007 at 9:23 PM:
Lovely! You hit the jack pot!
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 7, 2007 at 6:55 PM:
Great pic David!
Glad you included it in these threads with Joyce's article!
debnes
...
Subject: Accolades again!!
Posted by pupilpropogtr (from Birmingham, AL) on November 5, 2007 at 9:36 AM:
Your writing is so diverse. That is hard to pull off. I love every article I read, but each is different. That is proof of your range. I think I need a Ginkgo In my yard. The leaves are amazing.
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 5, 2007 at 10:17 AM:
Thanks Traci :-)
...
Subject: Pic of the new Ginkgo
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 3:02 PM:
Well, I had to go back and see if Green Mamas had any more of the small Ginkgo Trees left.. They were gone, but Carol can order more of them if anyone is interested.
They did have some about 10' for 325.00 (I was wrong about the 200.00). There are 2 of them.
There were 3 that are about 5' tall and I bought one more for 42.00 (not bad!). Again Carol can order some more of these too.
I had one put on hold for cocoa_lulu, and if anyone else wants the one that is still there for 42. you might need to call them and go over there. It is kinda slanted at about a 45* angle, but I suppose if you plant it in a slanted hole it would be straighter. Just be sure to keep the exact same dirt line that it has in the pot.. (kinda tricky, but perfect for a slope.) They need good drainage. Can be potted up, but Carol said to put expanded shale in the bottom of the pot. If your soil has poor drainage she said to use the expanded shale in the ground under the rootball.
Mulch, but be sure the mulch doesn't touch the trunk..
debnes
Here is the one I brought home>
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 3:26 PM:
Ok~
Lynea will not be able to send her MIL for the tree, so now they have 2 available for 42.00
Call if you want them to hold it 817 51GREEN
debnes
...
Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on November 5, 2007 at 4:53 AM:
Be sure to give it room. Here is a Ginkgo Biloba in front of our town hall:
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 5, 2007 at 8:26 AM:
The picture is fine David! How smart of them to plant that tree there. I suspect it is was 5-10 years old when they planted it.
Joyce~ How old would you say mine is at 5' tall?
debnes
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 5, 2007 at 9:12 AM:
debnes,
I would guess about two years old since it is said to grow two feet a year or 10 feet in twenty years. There is a row of them planted at my school, just put in last year, ( they are male about 10 feet each) and this year they are noticeably taller and fuller. I wish they were female so I could harvest the seeds.
...
Posted by sugarweed (from Jacksonville, FL) on November 5, 2007 at 2:08 PM:
Joyce I really enjoyed this article. In fact I believe this tree has a future in my yard. If I chew the leaves will it help my memory?
Sidney
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 5, 2007 at 3:53 PM:
Sidney
You can buy the pills or if you have the tree make a tea. It is said it helps memory loss but I'm no scientist. I know people that swear by it but I dont have first hand knowlefge. I am thinking of trying it thou and will let you know :-)
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 5, 2007 at 8:22 PM:
Sidney,
DH and I have been using different forms of Ginkgo for years now. I can tell the difference when I take it. Recollection processes are much quicker than average. Seems to be very healthy for the mind.
I still have 3 kids at home.. 2 teen-ers and a nine-er. Momma has to be on top of her game ... Kids are always asking questions... It's like triple jeopardy around here. lol!
debnes
...
Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on November 5, 2007 at 8:33 PM:
jadajoy . . .that tree certainly does fruit well. Went to look today and the ground is covered with yellow gooey fruit (and quite a bit of fruit fresh enough to eat). Some time back employees at the town hall wanted the tree removed beause of the mess. Luckily that was stopped and we now have a town tree committee.
Ginkgo self seeds like maples--dozens of foot high ginko trees are poking up through the mulch in a bed along side the town hall. Think I might go down this week and help our town maintence people spruce up the flower bed at the town hall. Clean out those weedy looking things with the funny looking leaves.
Took a picture of the fruit I collected but do not see a way to post it on this thread.
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 5, 2007 at 8:41 PM:
I ran into that problem too David.. So I made a new thread for posting a pic of the little tree I bought last week. Just make a new thread of the Fruit, and you can post a pic.
LOL@
Quoted:
Think I might go down this week and help our town maintenance people spruce up the flower bed at the town hall. Clean out those weedy looking things with the funny looking leaves.
Sounds like something I would do.. :-S
debnes
...
Posted by achaea (from Campobello Island
(Canada)) on November 5, 2007 at 8:50 PM:
Enjoyed the article. Do you know what zones it will grow best in?
achaea
This message was edited Nov 5, 2007 8:53 PM
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 7, 2007 at 4:32 PM:
achaea
Glad you enjoyed it! The zones listed are 3-9. Hope that helps.
...
Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on November 12, 2007 at 11:05 PM:
Our town ginkgo lost all its leaves before turning its usual bright yellow. Some photos from this morning:
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 13, 2007 at 10:59 PM:
Great pics David!!
Thank you for taking time to capture all that so we all could see.
debnes
...
Subject: Thank you for your Ginkgo tree article.
Posted by Cordeledawg (from Cordele, GA) on November 1, 2007 at 7:26 AM:
Reading your article makes me proud that I planted two of these trees. It's a welcoming thought to have trees growing in my yard which have a symbolic meaning for love, peace, hope and longevity, I didn't know that! It's fan shaped leaves and fall yellow color first attracted me.
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 8:03 AM:
I hear you Deborah!
Great article Joyce!
When first learning of this tree I was connected, and knew I had to have one someday. Recently a local nursery had some small ones (about 1') for sale at a great price! I snapped up several of them. One for replacing the Bradford that split in the front yard, and the others to share. (Btw, I believe they were all female trees, for those of you who received them.)
DH and I have used the tea for many years. I love the graceful leaves and the golden fall color. Face it! Whats not to love about the Ginkgo Tree?
debnes
...
Posted by Lily_love (from Central, AL) on November 1, 2007 at 8:07 AM:
OOoh, debnes, did you say the female trees? They will make fruits and those are rancid smelling, so it's said.
Joyce, wonderful article. Thank you.
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 8:26 AM:
If people rejected the females of any species for similar reasons, Lily... I suppose you and I wouldn't be here.
I have found that the benefits far outweigh any such unpleasantness.... meaning the female may be a better choice of this tree for other reasons. I am sure I will discover why over time. When I find a male Ginkgo I will snap some of them up too.
debnes
...
Posted by Lily_love (from Central, AL) on November 1, 2007 at 8:31 AM:
Good rationale! Debnes, best of lucks. I love those trees myself, I'd just work a little bit harder to care for them. :-)
...
Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on November 1, 2007 at 8:46 AM:
Lots of good information here, Joyce. Thank you very much! I started my day off by learning something, and that's never a bad idea. :-)
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 8:47 AM:
Me too Kim!! Worth any trouble if you ask me. :-)
debnes
...
Posted by Lily_love (from Central, AL) on November 1, 2007 at 9:00 AM:
Ditto debnes, I confess. It took me years to appreciate my sweetgum trees. The day I found a beautiful pair of moths that changed my perspectives. It's a wonderful world we live in! ...in time we'll discover the bounty nature has to offer.
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 1, 2007 at 9:35 AM:
Thanks to you all!
Debnes-My ginkgos are male and female as I think you need both for pollination. I havent had them long but would like to be able to collect the fruit and start new trees ( great gift idea you had). I am particularly interested in its memory enhancing properties for my "senior moments" :_) The female may recquire some clean up when it fruits but no more so than any of my other trees. Great idea as a replacement and thanks for that info on the Bradford for it was on my list "to get".
Cordeledawg- you wont regret planting these trees. More of them should be planted to ensure their survival.
McGlory--glad I could add something to your day!
Lily--It truly is a wonderful world we live in.
Joyce
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 9:49 AM:
:-) Joyce,
I have some other plants like that... (Spicebush are sexed too.) I got 3 in hopes that at least 2 were opposites. I know who I gave the third to, just in case I need a clone from it, lol.
I am not sure how they (the nursery), knew such small Ginkgo trees were female, is there a way to tell that early?
debnes
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 1, 2007 at 10:16 AM:
debnes- I think the difference is in the seed. They plant them separately when propagating to keep track.
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 11:00 AM:
Cool, thanks Joyce!
debnes
...
Posted by cocoa_lulu (from Grand Saline, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 12:44 PM:
Thank you for the great article, Joyce.
Debnes, Did you bring that ginkgo to the RU? I was "eye-balling" that tree.lol Where exactly did you get yours?
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on November 1, 2007 at 1:10 PM:
I've always loved the art based on the shape of those leaves! I've taken pills to stop altitude sickness. Now I put them together with a beautiful tree! And the town replaced the Norway maples on my stret with Bradford pears. Short-sighted, aren't they.
...
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 1, 2007 at 2:56 PM:
Omy! Carrie!
Lynea.. I got them at Green Mamas.. They might still have one. I left one for someone else, but that was days ago. They could have gotten more in. They do have a couple that are in huge pots, about 8-10' tall for sale, and they are about 200.00.
You could call and see what they have left. If you want them, have them put on "hold".
debnes
...
Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on November 1, 2007 at 4:22 PM:
Joyce, thank you for a beautifully written article about a beautiful tree. I am always fascinated by the history and mythology surrounding our more beautiful botanical specimens, and you just added a lovely one to my collection.
...
Posted by Cordeledawg (from Cordele, GA) on November 1, 2007 at 5:13 PM:
Joyce, my two ginkgos are small seedlings about 8" tall. I understand they are slow growers. Do you know how much growth they can put on in a year with ideal conditions ie. water, fertilizer, TLC.?
...
Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 1, 2007 at 5:40 PM:
Yes, they are slow growers.( especially initially or baby trees) It is said it takes 10 years to grow 20 feet so I'd say 2ft a year in ideal conditions.
All the amazing qualities of this tree make it a must have for any garden including its beauty, healing properties, maintenance free habits, and preservation of an ancient artifact. Plant your Ginkgo as a symbol of peace and love.
