Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgoaceae
Photo by Placeholder via System Generated • CC0 (2025-05-28)
Description
Ginkgo is a unique living fossil tree with no close relatives, planted throughout Buffalo for its distinctive fan-shaped leaves and golden fall color. Extremely tolerant of urban conditions, it's one of the oldest tree species on Earth, unchanged for millions of years.
Characteristics
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
fan-shaped with parallel veins
Height
60-80 feet
Bark
gray with deep furrows on old trees
Fruit
foul-smelling fruit on female trees
Identification Tips
- • Unique fan-shaped leaves with parallel veins
- • Leaves turn bright golden yellow in fall
- • Male trees preferred (female fruits smell bad)
- • Leaves often have a split creating two lobes
- • Very distinctive appearance unlike any other tree
Seasonal Changes
Spring
Bright green fan-shaped leaves emerge
Summer
Distinctive foliage provides moderate shade
Fall
Spectacular golden yellow color, drops all at once
Winter
Distinctive branching pattern visible
Habitat & Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Soil Preference
adaptable, tolerates compaction, various pH
Sun Requirements
full sun
Image Gallery
Leaves
Photo by Placeholder via System Generated • CC0
Bark
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Winter
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