GINKGO BILOBA: A VERY ANCIENT TREE

The lineage of this ancient tree (also referred to as the “maiden-hair tree") has a fossil record that dates back to Early Permian time (290 million years ago). The modern-day lineage dates back to Early Eocene time (about 55 million years ago). Today, it is commonly referred to as a “living fossil.” 

This tree has two-lobed (fan-shaped) leaves, 2 to 4 inches long) that are bright green in summer and brilliant yellow in the fall. Thus, the foliage of this tree is very distinctive. It is also a very hardy plant. Some plant nurseries sell this tree to the public. Ginkgo trees are quite hardy and are especially disease resistant and pollution tolerant. That was proved during World War II when this tree survived being only ¼ to ½ of a mile from the impact site of an atomic bomb!

There are separate male and female trees. The fruit of this tree is is not for eating, and fresh seeds can be toxic.  It is a slow-growing tree that can be up to 115 feet (66 m) tall and 30-40 feet wide. Young trees are slender, but with age, the crown broadens.  Ginkgo biloba trees prefer full sun. Fertilization occurs via wind pollination. This tree can have aerial roots. 

The Ginkgo tree is commonly found today in China, Korea, and Japan. In North America, these trees are often planted near public buildings (universities, hospitals, etc.).

  Classification

Kingdom Plantae

Clades: 2 of them

Class Ginkgoopsida 

Order Ginkgoales

Family Class Gingoaceae

Genus Ginkgo

Type species: Ginko biloba 

 

 Figure 1. A Ginkgo biloba tree (image courtesy of Pixabay—a royality free site for a diverse array of images).

Figure 2. Ginkgo-tree leaves.

Figure 3. Ginkgo leaves and fruit.

Reference

Wikipedia, 2026.