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.

Plant guide

Ginkgo.

Ginkgo biloba

Pronounced GINK-oh by-LOH-buh

Also known as 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.

At a glance

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

Care

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

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeable decline in annual growth rate.

Safety

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.

How to identify it

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

Common problems

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.

Growing it

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.

Grows well with

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.

Keep away from

Large shrubs — Planting large shrubs too close can restrict the airflow and light needed for the Ginkgo to grow well.

Similar species

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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.

Good to know

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.

Is your ginkgo looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.