Ginkgo

Ginkgo Biloba Trees – Best In NZ!

Growing colourful trees such as Ginkgo to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They attract birds and bees.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• They can provide shelter and screening.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the largest variety of Ginkgo trees and the right one for your space. Our Maidenhair trees have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Ginkgo biloba trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Ginkgo Questions

1. How quickly do Ginkgo trees grow?

Ginkgo trees typically grow at 30-60 cm in height each year. In ideal conditions, such as full sun, well-drained soil, and with regular watering, ginkgo trees in New Zealand can grow more quickly.

2. Do you need two Ginkgo trees?

Whether or not you need two ginkgo trees depends on your personal preferences and the goals for your garden. They are dioecious, meaning that there are separate male and female trees. Female trees produce fruit, which can be messy and smelly. Male trees do not produce fruit, but they do produce pollen, which can be a problem for people with allergies.

If you do not want to deal with the mess or smell of fruit, or if you have allergies to pollen, you may want to plant only male ginkgo trees. However, if you want to attract pollinators to your garden, or if you want to experience the full life cycle of a ginkgo tree, you may want to plant both a male and a female tree.

3. Are Ginkgo trees hard to grow?

Ginkgo trees are relatively easy to grow, but they do have a few specific requirements. They prefer full sun or partial shade, a well-drained soil, and regular watering. They are tolerant of a wide range of soil types.

Here are some tips for growing Ginkgo trees:

• Choose a planting site that receives full sun or at least six hours of sun per day.
• Amend the soil with compost to improve fertility.
• Plant the ginkgo tree in winter or spring.
• Water the ginkgo tree regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilise the ginkgo tree monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertiliser.
• Mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

4. Which Ginkgo tree is the best?

There are two main species of ginkgo trees: Ginkgo biloba, the common ginkgo, and Ginkgo wushengensis, the Wushan ginkgo. G. biloba is the more widely grown and popular of the two species.

Ginkgo biloba is a large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 m tall and 15 m wide. It has a distinctive fan-shaped leaf that turns golden yellow in autumn. It is also known for its longevity, and some trees are believed to be over 1,000 years old.

Ginkgo wushengensis is a smaller tree than G. biloba, with a more upright growth habit. The leaves of G. wushengensis are also slightly different, being more oval-shaped and less deeply lobed than the leaves of G. biloba. G. wushengensis is less commonly grown than G. biloba, but it is a good choice for smaller gardens.

There are Ginkgo biloba cultivars available, each with its own unique features and some of the more popular include:

• Autumn Gold: This cultivar has bright yellow leaves in autumn.
• Fastigiata: This cultivar has a narrow, upright growth habit.
• Princeton Sentry: This cultivar is similar to Fastigiata, but it is slightly larger.
• Variegata: This cultivar has variegated leaves that are green and white.

The best ginkgo tree for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the size and shape of the tree, the colour of the leaves in autumn, and the growing conditions in your garden when making your decision.

5. Are ginkgo tree roots invasive?

Ginkgo tree roots are not typically considered to be invasive. They are deep-rooted trees and their roots tend to grow straight down rather than spreading out horizontally. This makes them a safe choice for planting near foundations and other structures.

6. What is special about a ginkgo tree?

There are many things special about the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba), here are a few:

• Living fossil: The ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species on Earth, with fossils dating back over 200 million years. It survived through numerous mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, making it a living fossil.
• Unique leaves: Ginkgo leaves are unlike any other tree, with a distinctive fan-shaped shape and veins that radiate from a central point. They turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn before dropping, making the tree a popular ornamental choice.
• Resilient: Ginkgo trees are incredibly resistant to pests, diseases, and pollution. They can thrive in harsh conditions, making them well-suited for urban environments.
• Symbolism: In many cultures, the ginkgo is a symbol of longevity, hope, and resilience. In China, it is known as the "tree of a thousand years" and is often planted near temples and pagodas. In Japan, it is a symbol of peace and is associated with the Hiroshima bombing.
• Medicinal properties: Ginkgo biloba leaves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. They are thought to have a number of health benefits, including improved memory, circulation, and mood.

Here are some additional interesting facts about ginkgo trees:

• They are dioecious, meaning that there are separate male and female trees.
• Male ginkgo trees produce pollen that can cause allergies in some people.
• The female ginkgo trees produce fruit that contains a fleshy outer layer and a hard inner shell. The inner shell contains a seed that is called a ginkgo nut.
• Ginkgo nuts are edible and are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world.

7. Do ginkgo trees grow in New Zealand?

Ginkgo trees grow well in New Zealand! Here's why:

• Ginkgo trees are surprisingly adaptable, tolerating climates ranging from temperate to subtropical. New Zealand's varied climate, with sunny and rainy seasons, suits them well.
• Their resilience against pests, diseases, and pollution makes them ideal for urban landscapes, common in New Zealand.
• The graceful fan-shaped leaves, stunning autumn colors, and symbolic values of longevity and hope have made ginkgo trees popular ornamental choices in New Zealand gardens and public spaces.
• New Zealand even boasts the world's first ginkgo nut orchard in the Southern Hemisphere, "Bay Park," established in the Bay of Plenty region. While a niche crop, it highlights the suitability of growing ginkgo trees commercially in New Zealand.

So, while not naturally occurring in New Zealand, ginkgo trees have found a comfortable home there, thanks to their adaptability, resilience, and aesthetic appeal. You might even spot some majestic ginkgo trees grace your next stroll through a New Zealand park or garden!

8. Where do ginkgo trees grow best?

While ginkgo trees are remarkably adaptable, they do have some preferences for optimal performance:

• They love a full sun position. This maximizes photosynthesis and promotes healthy growth.
• Well-draining soil is crucial. Ginkgo trees dislike waterlogged soil, as it can suffocate their roots and lead to diseases. Sandy loam or loamy soil with good drainage works best. They can tolerate clay and even compacted soil, making them urban-friendly.
• Water the trees when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Avoid overwatering.
• They're cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -25°F (-32°C), and can handle heat too.
• Ginkgo thrives in urban environments, being resistant to air pollution and even tolerating salt spray near the coast.

9. Are Ginkgo biloba trees good?

Whether a ginkgo biloba tree is "good" depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros:

• Adaptability: Ginkgo trees can thrive in diverse environments, tolerating sun, partial shade, various soil types, and even harsh conditions like pollution and salt spray.
• Resilience: They are highly resistant to pests, diseases, and even wildfires, requiring minimal maintenance.
• Longevity: Ginkgo trees are known to live for thousands of years, becoming a timeless fixture in your landscape.
• Beauty: Their unique fan-shaped leaves offer year-round visual interest, especially with the stunning golden autumn foliage.
• Symbolism: In many cultures, ginkgo represents resilience, hope, and peace, adding a deeper meaning to your planting.
• Benefits: The leaves are used in traditional medicine for potential health benefits like memory improvement and circulation.

Cons:

• Slow growth: Ginkgo trees grow slowly, taking years to reach maturity and provide significant shade.
• Fruit mess: Female trees produce fruit with a strong, unpleasant odor when they drop, needing regular cleaning.
• Pollen issues: Male trees release pollen that can trigger allergies in some people.
• Price: Mature ginkgo trees can be expensive due to their slow growth and popularity.
• Limited shade: While growing tall, their canopy is often sparse, providing less shade compared to other fast-growing trees.

In conclusion:

• Ginkgo trees are excellent choices if you seek a low-maintenance, resilient tree with unique beauty and symbolic value. Their tolerance for harsh conditions makes them ideal for urban landscapes.
• However, be mindful of their slow growth, potential allergy concerns, and fruit mess if planting a female tree.