Ginkgo biloba in the ground
Green leaves Ginkgo biloba fan
Golden Ginkgo biloba in autumn
Ginkgo biloba pollen cones
Ginkgo biloba ovules
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Ginkgo biloba, the tree of a thousand crowns
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Scientific classification
Family
Ginkgoaceae
Type
Ginkgo
Species
Ginkgo biloba
Other names:Salisburia ginkgo, Pterophyllus salisburiensis, Salisburia adiantifolia, Salisburia biloba
The only member of its lineage, Ginkgo biloba is a record-breaker: longevity in excess of 1,000 years, uncommon reproductive capacity and unfailing resistance, capable of defying even the atomic bomb. Yet behind this brute strength lies a tree of great finesse and captivating foliage.
How to recognize Ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba is a tree that can reach 40 m in height. Young specimens have a conical growth habit, while mature trees have a more spreading, rounded growth habit.
There are also compact varieties, more suited to pot cultivation and small spaces, such as :
- ginkgo biloba 'Mariken, which doesn't exceed 2 meters in height;
- ginkgo biloba 'Blagon, which retains a columnar habit and doesn't exceed 15 meters in height.
The trunk measures up to 4 meters in diameter. It is covered with brown or grey bark. Smooth, it cracks with age.
The leaves are fan-shaped. They consist of two lobes and have no midrib. They are supported by a long stalk (5 to 8 cm) and measure 5 to 15 cm.
The deciduous foliage changes color with the seasons. Leaves are bright green in spring and summer. In autumn, they take on a golden-yellow hue before falling off.
Ginkgo biloba produces neither flowers nor fruit. There are male trees, with pollen-laden cones, and female trees, which produce fleshy ovules. Yellow-brown in color, they measure between 2 and 3 cm in diameter and appear at the end of a long stalk. As they fall, the ovules crumble and give off a nauseating odor, reminiscent of rot or vomit. The wind disperses the pollen, which then fertilizes the ovules.
Is Ginkgo biloba toxic?
Female Ginkgo biloba plants are toxic to animals and humans. If ingested, the ovules cause stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting. They can also cause skin irritation on contact.
If you have a dog or cat and you're dreaming of a Ginkgo biloba, it's best to plant a male tree. That way, you'll limit the risks associated with ovules.
Our maintenance tips
Ginkgo biloba These are very hardy trees. Once planted in the ground, they require almost no care. When grown in pots, however, regular watering and repotting are necessary.
Watering
Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimeters. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, filtered water or mineral water.
Don 't let water stagnate in the planter or saucer, as it may rot the roots.
Repotting
Obtain a deep pierced pot of at least 30 liters,slightly larger than the previous one.
You can place a layer of clay balls or gravel at the bottom to improve drainage.
Then pour in a rich, well-draining substrate, such as shrub or citrus potting soil. Plant your Ginkgo biloba. Tute it to help the trunk grow straight.
Press down and water generously, until water runs off through the drainage holes. Copious watering flushes out air bubbles and encourages rooting.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
The substrate is rapidly depleting. As you don't repot every year, feed your Ginkgo biloba with a soluble tree and shrub fertilizer.
Prune
Pruning is not mandatory. However, you can remove dead wood and tangled branches.
Plantation
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Choose a secluded spot, at least 3 meters from other plants and your house.
Soak the rootball to rehydrate it.
Dig a hole 2.5 times deeper than the root ball. Work the soil to loosen and aerate it. Place a layer of compost or manure at the bottom to enrich it, and cover with a little soil.
Plant your Ginkgo biloba. The root ball should be completely buried. Add a stake to help the trunk grow straight.
Fill in with garden soil and form a watering basin. Water copiously to expel air bubbles and encourage rooting.
You can mulch the soil to keep it fresh.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Locate a semi-arched stem. Take a 10-15 cm section with at least 2 or 3 knots. Use a clean, sharp tool such as pruning shears.
Remove half the foliage at the bottom. Reduce the size of the leaves you keep by 50% to limit evapotranspiration.
Fill a bucket or pierced pot with potting soil for seedlings and cuttings. Make a hole in the center with a pick. Plant your Ginkgo biloba cutting and water.
Cuttings take better if they've been suffocated. You can place your pot in a transparent crate or cover it with a translucent plastic bag.
Remember to water regularly to keep the soil moist and aerate for a few minutes each day to prevent rotting.
Grow young shoots in the open air when the first signs of recovery appear.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ginkgo biloba is very cold-resistant. This tree can withstand temperatures from -20°C to -30°C. Mature specimens are particularly hardy, but young plants require light winter protection (mulch, winter fleece) during their first few years.
Ginkgo biloba roots are no more invasive than those of other trees. You can plant your tree close to a house or terrace without any major risk, as long as you respect a standard planting distance(around 3 to 5 meters). Its taproot, however, needs to be planted in deep soil.
