Tree Talk: The Gingko.

The Gingko is a wonderful tree and another one of my favourite trees. It is unique tree as it is the only tree within its species (unlike the oak which has many different oaks there is only one Gingko – the biloba). It is also a living fossil – fossils have been found of modern day Gingko’s dating back to 270 million years ago. About two million years ago the tree was only to be found in restricted parts of China and was thought to be extinct for a period, two thousand years ago.

The leaves are fan-shaped with veins radiating out into the leaf blade and sometimes bifurcating (splitting). This bifurcation giving the leaf a distinct two lobes, hence the name biloba. The leaves are green but turn to a very distinctive yellow before dropping off in the autumn

The tree will be either male or female with the male being more common producing cones and the rarer female produces small seeds (1.5 – 2cm long) which have a very distinctive rancid butter like smell. The Fruit itself is plum like which has a fleshy rind enclosing an edible, white nut.

The tree can be seen dotted around most towns as it is widely loved amongst tree lovers (despite its non native status). A fine example of the species can be found on the green near the library on Church Lane and a very fine one to be found along the twitten in Dog Lane in Steyning.

One of the oldest trees I have found was hidden in an overgrown garden in Hove. It was about fifty feet tall with a much fissured bark. The tree can be known to grow over 100 feet tall.

Medicinally the gingko is used for memory and concentration enhancement, it can be used as an anti vertigo agent. It is also thought to improve circulation.

In eastern Asia the tree is often planted near Buddhist and Taoist temples. In the 11th century the gingko was called Yin Hsing (Silver Apricot), also known as the “Grandfather-Grandchild Tree” as it takes three generations to mature.

The best advice for anyone with a gingko on their property is to leave well alone, the bark is very delicate and scars do not heal on larger branches, it is best to prune considerately only when the tree is young.

Simon ZecTreedom Tree Suregry

Return To News Page