ExploreTrees

Ginkgo

The Ginkgo tree is one of the oldest trees in the world! It has unique fan-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall.

Habitat: City streets and parks

Appearance

The Ginkgo has iconic fan-shaped leaves that are bright green, turning a brilliant golden yellow in autumn. Its bark is typically grayish-brown, deeply furrowed with age. Female trees produce distinctive, foul-smelling, yellowish-orange, plum-like seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassGinkgoopsidaOrderGinkgoalesFamilyGinkgoaceaeGenusGinkgo

Ginkgo

Interesting facts

Amazingly, some Ginkgo trees even survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima!

Every individual Ginkgo tree is either a boy or a girl, never both!

Female Ginkgo trees grow seeds that famously smell like rotten butter!

Its fan-shaped leaves are unlike any other living tree on Earth!

Special abilities

Ginkgo has an incredible ability to survive, unchanged, for millions of years, earning it the name 'living fossil'.

Ginkgo can tolerate high levels of air pollution, which helps it thrive even in busy cities.

Ginkgo has natural defenses that make it highly resistant to most insect pests and diseases, keeping it healthy.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-35 m
Spread: 10-20 m
Edible: Yes
Size: 100-400 cm
Lifespan: 1000-3000 years
Fruit Type: Fleshy seed
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

Eats

Eastern gray squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

eats the fleshy seeds

Shelter

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

nests in branches

Eats

Turkey Tail fungus

Trametes versicolor

decomposes fallen wood

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

Ginkgo BilobaMaidenhair Tree

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ginkgo?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Ginkgo?

20-35 m

How wide does Ginkgo spread?

10-20 m

Is Ginkgo edible?

Yes

How big is Ginkgo?

100-400 cm

How long does Ginkgo live?

1000-3000 years

Where is Ginkgo usually found?

City streets and parks