Ginkgo biloba , often simply known as gingko or the maidenhair fern tree diagram is the only subsist genus and species of the Family Ginkgoaceae , a group of prehistoric gymnosperms or seed - bearing plants . Ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are unremarkably called maidenhair tree in reference to the resemblance of their fan - influence leaves to maidenhair fern leaflets ( pinna ) .

The old ginkgo fossils date back over 270 million year , before the dinosaurs . Besides being the oldest eff gymnosperms in the fossil record , ginkgos be longer than many more modern Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Ginkgos may live over a thousand year , as demonstrated by one in China that is count on to be over 2,500 years quondam . ( University of Vermont Extension ) .

Growing in a across-the-board diversity of grime and troubled by few , if any , pests , maidenhair Tree need full sun and well - debilitate soil . Ginkgos may produce 10 feet in ten years at first but their ontogenesis pace overall is considered irksome to medium . received gingko trees eventually may touch 50 to 80 feet improbable and from 30 foot to 80 feet across . It has lover - shaped leaves with parallel veins , which turn a vivacious gold in the fall . Tolerant of table salt , drought and air pollution as well as acidic and alkaline soils , ginkgo acquire well in climates from Iceland to Australia . Ginkgo trees are dioecious , stand for there are separate manful and female tree diagram . The female trees produce seeds that are often believe malodorous when they fall and decay .

In various cultures , specially in East Asia , Ginkgo is revere . In China , it ’s associated with length of service and is often planted near temple and significant buildings .

Types of Ginko Varieties

Autumn Gold Ginko

This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree reaches high of 50 feet or more at matureness . It has a pyramidal contour when untried , becoming more oval or rounded with years . The folio flex a brilliant gold in the fall , providing a spectacular showing . Unlike some other Ginkgo varieties , ‘ Autumn Gold ’ tends to alter color more uniformly .

Autumn Gold ’ is a male cultivar , which means it does not bring forth the mussy and sometimes malodorous fruits that female Ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree do . Once established , it is quite drouth - resistant , but regular watering during the first few years can serve it establish a strong root system .

Princeton SentryGinko

Unlike the more common spreading build of Ginkgo trees , ‘ Princeton Sentry ’ grows in a narrow , upright editorial . It can reach heights of 40 to 50 foot ( 12 - 15 m ) but only broadcast about 15 foot ( 4.5 meter ) widely . Like other Ginkgo form , ‘ Princeton Sentry ’ feature fan - shaped leaves that turn a vibrant golden - yellowness in the fall .

The foliage is heavy . This cultivar is male person , which means it does not grow the potentially mussy and malodorous yield typical of distaff Ginkgo trees . Its narrow var. makes it ideal for urban setting where distance is at a premium , such as along streets , in narrow parkways , or in little garden plot of ground .

MarikenGinkgo

Mariken ’ was discovered as a beldam ’s Calluna vulgaris on a standard Ginkgo tree diagram in Holland . Witch ’s brooms are dense , brush - like clusters of shoots arising from a undivided point on a tree , often due to genetic chromosomal mutation or environmental strain .

‘ Mariken ’ is characterize by its very slow increase and thick , spreading shape . It ’s often identify as having a somewhat tears or cernuous nature . Over the first decade , it might only gain about 2 metrical foot in peak and width , eventually growing to around 3 feet improbable by 8 base wide .

Like all Ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , ‘ Mariken ’ boast the iconic fan - shaped leaves . These leaves flex a magnificent golden - yellowness in the autumn . This cultivar is male person , it does not acquire the messy and malodorous fruits assort with female Ginkgo tree . Mariken ’ is ideal for small gardens , stone gardens , or as a bonsai .

PendulaGinkgo

‘ Pendula ’ has a classifiable tears mannequin , with branch that curve and droop towards the ground , giving it a very different silhouette compare to the typical upright Ginkgo trees . It can arise to be quite big , potentially reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet ( 6 - 9 meters ) with a spread that can be equally wide or even wider , depending on how it ’s trained or pruned .

This cultivar is male . It ’s in particular effective near water feature article or in Nipponese - panache gardens where the tears form echoes traditional esthetic . Once established , it ’s relatively drouth - tolerant , though regular watering during the initial years aid in establishing a robust root arrangement .

FastigiataGinko

Unlike the typical spreading contour of many Ginkgo trees , ‘ Fastigiata ’ grows in a narrow , vertical newspaper column . It reaches a peak of about 40 - 50 feet ( 12 - 15 meter ) but stay relatively narrow-minded , with a spread of about 10 - 15 metrical foot ( 3 - 4.5 meters ) . Like all Ginkgos , it has distinctive fan - shaped leave that turn a brilliant yellowness in the autumn . The leaves are unique because they have parallel veins and a dichotomous venation design , which is quite rare in semen plants .

It ’s a slow to moderate grower , which make it accomplishable for smaller gardens or as a street tree . ‘ Fastigiata ’ is male in characteristics . These Tree can endure contamination , compacted soil , and are immune to pests and diseases .

VariegataGinko

Ginkgo biloba ‘ Variegata ’ features leave-taking that are variegated with maculation or sharpness of chickenhearted or cream , contrasting with the distinctive green . Like other Ginkgo tree , this cultivar is comparatively slow - raise but can finally reach significant heights , often up to 50 foot or more under idealistic conditions . This virile cultivar of Ginkgo is practically pest- destitute , resistive to violent storm equipment casualty , and casts slow shade . When the leafage do drop , they drop rapidly , forming a golden carpeting around the tree .

Santa Cruz Ginkgo

This cultivar has an umbrella - mold , astray - spreading crown which gives it a unique silhouette in the landscape painting . Its leaves are distinctive of Ginkgo biloba , buff - shape with dichotomous venous blood system , but the growth habit sets it apart from other varieties . The Santa Cruz smorgasbord grows to a height of about 15 feet , make it more realizable for urban or small garden setting compared to the received Ginkgo which can get much taller .

Its leeway for pollution and rough urban conditions , it ’s suitable for city landscapes . Being a virile cultivar , it avoids the issue of fruit dip , which can be a pain in urban environments due to the olfactory modality when the fruit decay .

Samurai Ginkgo

The Samurai Ginkgo is far-famed for its narrow , columnlike growth habit , which makes it ideal for spaces where a traditional spreading tree might not fit . It has the classic devotee - mould leaves of the Ginkgo , which turn a brilliant golden - yellowness in the drop . The ‘ Samurai ’ ginkgo will reach about 14 metrical foot gamy by 19 foundation wide-eyed in 10 years and ultimately can become a 50 foot tall by 30 feet wide but remains quite narrow .

Like other Ginkgo trees , the Samurai Ginkgo carry the rich cultural heritage associate with Ginkgos , often symbolizing longevity , resilience , and beauty in adversity . idealistic for city streets or modest urban destiny where distance is at a premium , yet there ’s a desire for tree canopy .

Lakeview Ginko

The ‘ Lakeview ’ cultivar is noted for its symmetrical , pyramidal soma , which grows to about 50 foot improbable and 20 to 25 feet all-embracing . It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3A through 8A , its tolerance to a wide ambit of climates , from quite cold to moderately warm . Like other Ginkgos , ‘ Lakeview ’ offers spectacular declivity color , with leaf turn a vivid yellow before they cast off . However , the downslope color display might be abbreviated as the leave-taking tend to fall down quickly .

Jade Butterflies Ginkgo

This cultivar is noted for its slow to moderate increase , finally reaching a altitude of about 8 to 12 infantry with a counterpane of 6 to 10 foot . Its form is described as upright and vase - shaped . The leaves of ‘ Jade Butterflies ’ are deeply bi - lobed , which , with their specially brilliant green color , give the impression of jade butterfly stroke , hence the name . This leafage turn into a uniform , showy golden yellow in the surrender .

It ’s hardy in USDA zones 3a to 9b , indicating a wide tolerance for dissimilar climates . ‘ Jade Butterflies ’ thrive in full sun to mostly sunny conditions and can adapt to various dirt types , admit compact , alkaline , or acidic soils .

‘ Jade Butterflies ’ is a male dead ringer . It is perfect for small landscapes where the classic Ginkgo fall color is desired without the infinite requirement of a full - sized tree . Its slow chassis and slow growth rate also make it desirable for bonsai or container horticulture for those interested in more intricate plant tutelage .

Spring Grove Ginko

Spring Grove has a columnar to narrow - pyramidic growth riding habit . It is for tight blank or as a street tree where a vertical accent is desired without accept up much sidelong space . It grows to a meridian of about 40 to 50 feet with a spread of only 15 to 20 feet . The leaves of ‘ Spring Grove ’ are typical of Ginkgo biloba , with a fan soma , but this cultivar might show slightly more uniform or dense leaf equate to the coinage . Like other Ginkgos , it turns a brilliant yellowness in the fall . Spring Grove ’ is a manly cultivar .

It is stout in USDA zones 3 through 8 , present a effective leeway to cold and a variety of grunge condition . Spring Grove ’ an ideal candidate for urban environments .