This ancient tree from China is steeped in folklore and history and dates back to the time of the dinosaurs. The Ginkgo or Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba, often misspelt Gingko) is surprisingly related to the conifer family and is a slow-growing deciduous tree. Its distinctive fan-shaped leaves are a mid green that turn butter yellow in autumn before falling.
This long-lived tree has an open canopy and when it matures into a very old tree, can form pendulous gnarly aerial roots that hang from the trunk towards the ground. There is a magnificent example in the Geelong Botanic Gardens in Victoria. This beautiful tree grows into a great specimen tree for large gardens, farms and parks. It can be grown as a hedge for leaf production.
- Uses: ornamental tree, specimen tree, medicinal
- Size: 20 metres high x 10 metres wide depending on conditions
- Features: attractive clear yellow autumn foliage and unusual leaf shape, tolerates air pollution