TREES OF PARKFAIRFAX: GINKGO BILOBA

An ancient tree from China, the Ginkgo Biloba, is between 150-250 million years old.  It has no living relatives and now is found only in cultivation.  Recently, trees have been found growing naturally in two small areas of Zhejiang Province. Some researchers believe these are the result of Chinese monks’ cultivation over 1000 years.

The Ginkgo is easily recognized by its unique fan-shaped leaves about three inches long, often notched with various veins diverging from the base. The leaf is matte green and turns bright yellow in autumn.  The tree grows 50 – 80 feet tall and has ridged and fissured gray-brown bark.  Male and female flowers appear separately on the same tree. They often don’t begin to form until after 20 years of tree growth. The Ginkgo produces a fleshy plum-like seed, yellow-green ripening to orange-brown with the inner seed maturing after the first frost. The seed inside the  fleshy covering is served as a food for special Chinese occasions such as weddings and New Year  meals as part of a dish called Buddha’s Delight.  The Chinese have long believed the Ginkgo provide medicinal and even aphrodisiac qualities. I’m sure you have seen it advertised on TV or the internet promising to enhance memory and concentration. Studies have not been able to prove these promises.

In youth the tree appears gaunt and open in its growth.  As it matures “ it becomes full and dense, an imposing beautiful specimen” [Dirr].  The Ginkgo also tolerates pollution well, adapts to almost any soil condition, and is not susceptible to diseases.  These looks and adaptability make it a great choice as an urban shade tree. As a result it is found in urban landscapes all over the world in temperate to subtropical climates. You can find a Ginkgo Biloba near the intersection of Gunston and Valley near Building 522 in the 3600 block of Valley Drive.

Note about last month’s tree.  An apology to readers, the tuliptree the writer cited is not the best example of this beautiful, tall tree.  Two others are better. One about a block away on Gunston Road in the  3600 block back from the road standing tall all by itself in front of 3674 and 3676 Gunston Road.  The second is found at the intersection of Lyons Lane and Martha Custis, near the end of Building 537. The fact that the writer walks past this tree everyday and did not see it, is a matter of personal concern.