Guide botanique
Ginkgo.
Ginkgo biloba
Prononciation GINK-oh by-LOH-buh
Aussi appelée Common Ginkgo, Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree, Maidenhair-tree, gingko

The ginkgo is a truly ancient tree that has survived for millions of years. It features unique fan shaped leaves that turn a brilliant golden yellow in the autumn. This hardy species is highly tolerant of urban pollution and poor soil conditions.
En un coup d'œil
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Deciduous tree
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- direct
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 20 to 35 meters
- Growth rate
- slow
- Hardiness
- USDA 3 to 9
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
Entretien
Plant your ginkgo in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist while the tree is young, but it becomes quite drought tolerant once established. Watch for yellowing leaves in summer which may indicate poor drainage or extreme heat stress.
- Watering
- Water deeply during dry spells to keep the root zone hydrated.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring.
- Pruning
- Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches during winter dormancy.
- Repotting
- Repot young trees every few years if grown in containers.
- Soil
- Well draining loam or sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acidic to neutral
- Temperature
- -30 to 35°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 70%
- Drought tolerance
- moderate
- Lifespan
- Perennial, can live for over 1,000 years.
- Deer and rabbits
- high
Signes qu'il faut rempoter
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
- Noticeable decline in annual growth rate.
Sécurité
- People
- The seeds are toxic if ingested in large quantities, and the fruit pulp can cause skin irritation.
- Pets
- The seeds and leaves are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
- Children
- Keep children away from the fallen fruit, as the pulp is highly irritating to skin and toxic if eaten.
- Contact allergens
- The pulp of the female fruit contains ginkgolic acids which are potent skin irritants.
- Airborne allergens
- Male trees produce pollen that can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
- Edibility
- The fleshy outer coating of the seeds contains ginkgotoxin and can cause severe contact dermatitis or internal distress if ingested.
Comment l'identifier
- Fan shaped leaves with parallel veins
- Leaves turn bright yellow in autumn
- Distinctive spur shoots on older branches
- Grayish brown bark with deep furrows
- Height
- 15 to 35m
- Spread
- 6 to 12m
- Leaves
- green, yellow, deciduous
- Flowers
- green, 1 to 2cm
- Fruit
- yellow, orange, Autumn
Problèmes courants
- Leaf spot — Fungal infections can cause brown or black spots on foliage during wet seasons.
- Scale insects — Small sap sucking insects may cluster on branches and weaken the tree.
La cultiver
- Propagation
- seed, cuttings
- When to plant
- spring, autumn
- Overwintering
- No special care is needed as they are fully deciduous and dormant in winter.
- In containers
- Ginkgo can be grown in large containers for many years, making them popular subjects for bonsai.
Seed propagation
- Collect seeds from female trees in autumn.
- Remove the fleshy pulp carefully while wearing gloves.
- Clean the seeds and sow them in a cold frame or pot outdoors for winter stratification.
Focus on shade tolerant perennials that can handle the dry soil often found under a mature tree canopy.
Bonnes associations
- Hostas — They thrive in the dappled shade provided by the Ginkgo canopy.
- Japanese Maple — Both trees appreciate similar soil conditions and provide beautiful contrasting foliage.
À éloigner de
- Large shrubs — Planting large shrubs too close can restrict the airflow and light needed for the Ginkgo to grow well.
Espèces similaires
- Dawn Redwood — It is another ancient deciduous conifer that offers a similar prehistoric aesthetic.
Science
- Family
- Ginkgoaceae
- Genus
- Ginkgo
- Order
- Ginkgoales
- Class
- Ginkgoopsida
- Native range
- Native to a small region in eastern China.
- Conservation
- Ginkgo biloba is listed as endangered in its native wild habitat in China.
This hardy tree survives by being exceptionally tolerant of urban pollution, pests, and poor soil conditions.
- Uses
- Ornamental street tree, Traditional herbal supplement, Landscape specimen
Au fil des saisons
Repères écologiques
- Salinity
- 4/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 7/9
- Temperature
- 5/9
- Moisture
- 5/9
- Nutrients
- 5/9
Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.
Ce qu'on demande souvent
- Why do people avoid female Ginkgo trees?
- The female trees produce fruit that smells like rancid butter when it rots on the ground.
- How fast does a Ginkgo grow?
- They are quite slow growing, often adding less than 1 foot per year.
D'où vient le nom
The name Ginkgo comes from a Japanese misreading of the Chinese word for silver apricot, while biloba refers to the two lobed shape of the leaves.
Bon à savoir
- Ginkgo trees are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants.
- The leaves turn a brilliant, uniform gold in autumn before dropping all at once.
- Ginkgo trees are incredibly resistant to pollution and urban conditions.
- The tree is often called the maidenhair tree because its leaves resemble maidenhair fern leaflets.
Ton ginkgo a mauvaise mine ?
Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.
Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.