Ginkgo

The Maidenhair tree is one of the oldest trees in the world, and does not have any close living relatives; it is also a living fossil.

Fossils dating back 270 million years are recognisable as relatives to the modern Maidenhair tree! 

A botanical oddity remote from all other trees and plants, it is a survivor from a botanical group Ginkgoales widespread in the Jurassic and it is now the only living representative.

Found mainly only in the wild in China, the Ginkgo Biloba tree has many culinary and medicinal uses.

Thought to be a memory and concentration enhancer, and the nuts are often used in ceremonial dishes in China. 

This is an endangered tree, isolated to a few distinct areas in eastern Asia.

It is fully hardy 

This is an easy tree to grow and has amazing staying power.

There are many Ginkgo trees that survived the atomic bomb blast on 6th August  1945 at Hiroshima.

On the 9th of August 1945 buds were seen sprouting from the tree in Hiroshima

 Japan and now has another new name: Bearer of Hope.

The leaves are 3" and fan-shaped. They turn yellow in the fall before dropping off.

Ginkgo biloba is dioecious, meaning that male and female parts are contained in separate flowers that grow on separate trees.

 The male trees have drooping catkins, while the females have drooping flowers. Both appear in March and April.

Ginkgo biloba grows to a size of 50-75'+ high and 50-60' wide. It usually forms a pyramidal to very irregular shape.

Ginkyo have developed a resistance to most pests and diseases, allowing it an incredibly long lifespan. One tree in the Shandong province of China is thought to be 3,000 years old.

Ginkyo is the second most storm tolerant tree after the giant redwood sequoiadendron.

Ginkyo is one of the most beautiful fall colored trees you will ever seen.

Medicinal Uses:

The most commonly known medicinal use for Ginkgo biloba is to improve memory. However, as our Alternative Medicine expert Cathy Wong notes in her Ginkgo health article, it can also be used for tinnitus, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, sexual dysfunctions, peripheral arterial disease, enhancing blood circulation and macular degeneration.