Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo holds deep cultural resonance, especially in East Asia, where it symbolizes longevity, hope, and resilience. Its leaves and seeds feature in art, poetry, and traditional medicine. In Japan and China, ancient Ginkgo trees are revered at temples and historic sites, sometimes living for over a thousand years. The tree's survival through mass extinctions has made it an emblem of endurance in modern culture.

• Ginkgo biloba is considered a 'living fossil,' virtually unchanged for over 200 million years.
• It is the only surviving member of its entire botanical division, Ginkgophyta.
• Ginkgo trees can live for more than a thousand years, with some ancient specimens found at temples in China and Japan.
• The seeds are edible when prepared correctly, but contain compounds that are toxic if eaten raw.
• Ginkgo is highly tolerant of urban stressors, making it a popular choice for city planting worldwide.

Ginkgo biloba plays a modest role in contemporary ecosystems, largely due to its limited natural distribution. In urban and cultivated settings, it provides shade, habitat for birds, and contributes to air quality by tolerating pollution. Its resilience allows it to thrive where other trees may fail, supporting urban biodiversity. In its native range, Ginkgo may interact with local fauna that consume its seeds, though its ecological relationships are less complex than those of more widespread species.

• Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair tree): The only living species of the genus and division, renowned for its distinctive leaves, longevity, and cultural importance.

Wild Ginkgo trees are believed to survive only in remote valleys of southeastern China, though their precise natural range is debated. Today, Ginkgo is cultivated globally, thriving in temperate climates across Asia, Europe, and North America. It prefers well-drained soils and full sun, and is commonly found in city parks, streets, and gardens due to its adaptability and ornamental appeal.

Ginkgo trees are straightforward to cultivate, thriving in a wide range of soil types as long as drainage is good. They prefer full sun and tolerate drought, wind, and urban pollution. Plant male trees to avoid the odor of female seeds in public spaces. Water young trees regularly until established, and avoid waterlogged soils. Propagation is typically by seed or grafting, and mature trees require little maintenance beyond occasional pruning.

Ginkgo biloba faces few threats in cultivation, thanks to its hardiness. However, wild populations in China are extremely limited and may be at risk from habitat loss and genetic bottlenecking. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining wild stands and maintaining genetic diversity through cultivation. The species is not currently considered endangered due to its widespread planting, but its ancient wild lineage remains vulnerable.

Ginkgo is economically significant as an ornamental tree, valued for its beauty and resilience in urban landscapes. Its seeds are a delicacy in East Asian cuisine, used in dishes such as congee and chawanmushi after careful preparation. Ginkgo leaves and extracts are popular in herbal medicine, marketed for cognitive and circulatory benefits, though scientific consensus on efficacy is mixed. The tree's wood is rarely used commercially due to its softness and limited supply.

Ginkgo symbolizes endurance, hope, and longevity in many cultures, especially in China and Japan. Ancient trees are revered at temples and shrines, believed to bring good fortune and spiritual protection. Legends tell of Ginkgo trees surviving atomic blasts in Hiroshima, further cementing their reputation for resilience. The tree's unique leaves often appear in poetry, art, and literature as emblems of peace and renewal.

• Look for distinctive, fan-shaped leaves with radiating veins, turning bright yellow in autumn.
• Check for straight trunks and broad, open crowns in mature specimens.
• Female trees may bear seeds with a fleshy, strong-smelling outer layer.
• Ginkgo bark is gray and becomes deeply furrowed with age.
• Despite broad leaves, remember Ginkgo is a gymnosperm, not a flowering tree.