A Tree a Week: Ginkgo Biloba

11/14/2025

Explore the Maidenhair Tree

The Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as a ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is often misspelled "gingko" and is a species of the gymnosperm tree native to East Asia. Considered the oldest living tree in the world, it is the only surviving member of a group of ancient plants believed to have inhabited the earth up to 300 million years ago.

An ancient deciduous tree growing up to 100 feet tall, the Ginkgo biloba has grey bark and characteristically fan-shaped leaves that turn from rich green to deep yellow by late fall. Distinguished by its incredibly long, narrow trunk with shoot-like branches, right now, the spiral arrangement of its brilliant, leathery gold leaves adds remarkable contrast to our Virginia blue sky. Unlike the other trees in our Arboretum, whose leaves fall throughout the season, the Ginkgo typically drops all of its leaves seemingly overnight, creating a golden carpet on our front lawn.

The seed of the Ginkgo may be used for food, especially soup; the wood is frequently used for religious furniture and spiritual practices, and the leaves and nuts can be harvested for medicinal purposes. While male trees have pollen-producing floral spikes, fertilized female trees bear round, fleshy, yellowish fruit-like structures that contain a large seed and have an unpleasant scent. It takes 20—35 years for ginkgo trees to reach maturity and start bearing fruit. Ginkgo trees are often planted near Buddhist and Taoist shrines and temples, signifying important life events. The Ginkgo is often trimmed as a hedge in Asian gardens.

Interesting Facts

Ginkgo trees are commonly called maidenhair trees in reference to the resemblance of their fan-shaped leaves to maidenhair fern leaflets (pinnae). Ginkgos are also dioecious, meaning separate male and female trees exist. The word ginkgo comes from the Chinese word yinxing, meaning silver apricot. The leaves contain ginkgolides, which are used in traditional medicine and dietary supplements, believed to have potential circulation and cognitive benefits. Ginkgo trees are hardy and can withstand urban pollution and various environmental stressors. The Ginkgo tree on our campus is actually leaning. During its earlier growing stages, it was surrounded by other trees and had to lean and curve to reach direct sunlight.

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