Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree
Slow-growing shade tree with brilliant golden fall color.
About Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous shade tree prized for its fan-shaped leaves and brilliant golden fall color. This ancient species has remained virtually unchanged for over 200 million years. Ginkgos are exceptionally tough, thriving in poor soil and urban pollution where other trees struggle. Their even, golden autumn display often drops within days, creating dramatic seasonal change.
This guide covers everything you need to grow ginkgo successfully, from selecting male trees to planting and ongoing care. Learn how to handle their water needs, manage their slow growth, and prepare for their stunning but brief fall show. We also cover where to buy quality trees and what to expect as your ginkgo matures over decades.
Buy Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $80.55
Sizes: 1 Gallon Container 1-2' Feet Tall, 3 Gallon Container 3-4' Tall, 3 Gallon Container 4-5' Tall, 3 Gallon Container 5-6' Tall
Shop Ginkgo Maidenhair TreeQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 3-8 (some references extend to 9)
- Mature height
- 50-80 ft in typical landscape settings; old specimens in native/historic sites can reach 80-100+ ft
- Mature width
- 25-35 ft, narrower for columnar cultivars
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- average water needs; medium moisture, tolerates periods of drought once established
- Bloom time
- spring (April-May); inconspicuous
- Bloom color
- dioecious - males bear small yellow-green pollen cones, females bear inconspicuous ovules,
- Growth rate
- slow to moderate, roughly 12 in/year, faster (up to 24 in/year) in ideal conditions while
- Deer resistance
- excellent - rarely browsed
- Plant type
- deciduous tree
- Often called a 'living fossil' - the species has changed little in over 200 million years
- Fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant, uniform gold in fall and often drop within days
- Male trees are strongly preferred for landscapes to avoid the smelly fruit of female trees
- Exceptionally tolerant of urban pollution, poor soil, salt, and compacted sites
- Virtually free of serious pests and diseases
- Extremely long-lived, with some specimens exceeding 1,000 years
- Slow to moderate grower, so nursery-size trees take time to reach full shade-tree stature
Growing guides
Core guideGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Complete care guide for Ginkgo Maidenhair Trees. Learn how to grow, plant, and maintain Ginkgo biloba with proven techniques.
Core guideHow to Plant a Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree the Right Way
Learn how to plant a Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree step-by-step: site selection, timing, hole prep, watering, mulch, and year-one care for thriving
Core guideGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Buying Guide: Sizes and What to Look For
Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree buying guide: container sizes, male cultivars, quality indicators, and where to find nursery plants.
Plant specificGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Fall Color: Why the Gold Is So Brilliant
Discover why Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree fall color glows brilliant golden yellow in just days. Peak timing, care tips, and cultivar picks.
Core guide9 Common Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree Problems and How to Fix Them
Discover 9 common Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree problems and proven solutions to keep your tree healthy and thriving for decades.
Core guideGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Hardiness Zones: Where It Grows Best
Learn about Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree hardiness zones (3-8), cold tolerance, and the best climate conditions for growing this resilient shade t
Core guideGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Sun Requirements: Full Sun or Shade?
Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree sun requirements: full sun for best growth. Learn how to assess your site, place trees correctly, and manage light co
Core guideWatering a Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree: A Complete Seasonal Guide
Learn how to water Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree properly, from spring through winter. Master seasonal schedules and drought tolerance.
Core guideBest Soil for a Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree: pH, Drainage and More
Best soil for Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree: pH 5.0-8.0, deep loamy, well-drained. Amend clay or sandy soils with compost. Step-by-step guide.
Core guideHow Big Does a Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree Get? Size and Growth Rate
How big do Ginkgo Maidenhair Trees get? Typical height 50-80 ft, growth rate 12-24 in/year. Complete size and growth FAQ.
Core guide12 Landscape Design Ideas for Your Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree
12 proven landscape design ideas for Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree: specimen plantings, shade canopies, urban designs, fall color, and companion pl
Plant specificGinkgo Maidenhair Tree Seeds and Fruit: Smell, Mess and Cleanup
Why do ginkgo trees smell? Guide to female Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree fruit odor, seed cleanup, toxicity, and male cultivar recommendations.
Ginkgo Maidenhair Tree questions
Why do some ginkgo trees smell bad?
Only female ginkgo trees produce fruit, and the fleshy seed coating contains butyric acid, which smells like rancid butter when it falls and breaks down in autumn. Most nursery-sold ginkgos are male cultivars specifically to avoid this.
How fast does a ginkgo tree grow?
Ginkgos are slow to moderate growers, typically adding around 12 inches of height per year, though this can vary with site conditions.
Is ginkgo a good shade tree for cities?
Yes, ginkgo is one of the most urban-tolerant shade trees available, handling pollution, road salt, and poor compacted soil better than most species.
Do ginkgo trees need special care?
No, they are very low-maintenance once established, needing minimal pruning, no regular fertilizing in decent soil, and tolerating drought well.
Can you tell a male from a female ginkgo before it fruits?
Not reliably by appearance alone; sex isn't distinguishable until the tree matures and flowers/fruits, which is why most landscape trees are sold as named male cultivars propagated by grafting.