Ginkgo
Ginkgo trees are an ancient tree that some consider living fossils. They are the only surviving member from a group of plants from the dinosaur era! They have distinct fan-shaped leaves with almost parallel veins. They can be somewhat slow-growing and branching structure can be sparse when younger, but a mature specimen with its spectacular yellow fall color is a sight to see! Ginkgo trees don’t like late spring frosts, since they push all of their leaves out at once. If one occurs, it might take until midsummer to put on new growth. Pay attention to cultivar for fall color and choose only male varieties – female trees drop a fleshy seed pod with a very bad odor!
Notable Characteristics
Unique fan shaped leaves
Some cultivars have outstanding yellow fall color
Urban tolerant and suitable for lawn or street tree
Very few insect or disease problems
How To Use In The Landscape
Ginkgos work great for a street, lawn, or shade tree. Their great fall color and ability to lose all of their leaves at once for easy cleanup more than make up for their slow growth.
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Nebraska Nursery & Color Gardens
Sources:
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=1092
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/ginkgo
https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/tree_alternatives/autumn_gold_ginkgo
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c910