Maidenhair Tree - Ginkgo biloba  -  €15 per tree

Ginkgo is a fascinating plant, with a wide range of uses, particularly medicinally. It has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine, where the seed is most commonly used. It is a tall and generally narrow deciduous tree that can reach a height of up to 30-40 metres by 9 metres. This species is the only surviving member of a family that was believed to be extinct until fairly recent times. It is likely to have remained virtually unchanged for at least 150 million years and might have been growing when the dinosaurs were roaming the earth, hence its nickname of "living fossil'.  A very easily grown plant, succeeding in most soil types  To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: China
  • native habitat: Rich sandy soils, although survival of wild trees is not secure
  • family:  Ginkgoaceae

Predators

  • No pests or diseases

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, cannot grow in full shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 9b
  • Prefers moist or dry soil
  • Prefers well drained soil
  • Can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
  • Prefers position sheltered from strong winds

Known hazards 

  • The seed contains a mildly acrimonious principle that is unstable when heated. It is therefore best to cook the seed before eating

Overview

  • Deciduous Tree growing to 30-40 m by 9 m at a slow rate.
  • It is in flower from Apr to May , and the seeds ripen from October - November
  • The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) 
  • It is pollinated by wind
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It cannot grow in the shade.
  • It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. 

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Tree   
  • layer : Upper Canopy 
  • habit: Tall, narrow tree
  • height x width (m): 30-40 x 9
  • years to bearing: up to 35 yrs  

Products 

  • Fan shaped greenish-yellow leaves that contain ginkgolides, unknown in any other plant species
  • The seeds of Ginkgo biloba have been highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine for years and are now also used widely in Western medicine.  The cooked seed is antitussive, astringent and sedative while the raw seed is said to have anticancer activity but should be used with caution, however, due to reports of toxicity.



Functions, behaviours

  • Male trees are often preferred due to the unpleasant smell of the flesh-coated seeds dropped by female trees. Despite the smell, these are a delicacy, hence the name ‘silver apricot’ in Chinese.
  • A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soil types so long as they are well-drained
  • They can grow in poor hard-packed soil.
  • The plants flower and fruit more reliably after hot summers or when grown in a warm sunny position
  • Untroubled by pests and diseases and is believed to have evolved a resistance over its many millions of years of existence
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project