Maidenhair Tree

Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba
(GING-ko) (bi-LOW-buh)

These pictures were taken at the New York Botanical Garden last fall. They have been lurking around on an old memory card. There are several cultivars (remember that means a culti-vated var-iety) of Ginkgo growing at the Estate and this one was featured on this site on September 14, 2006. Last fall we moved a couple of Ginkgos to an area where they will be able to expand. Luckily we have been dealing with the male of species, as I had never seen the fruit before.

The trees at the NYBG had a lot of fruit under them. There is supposed to be a rancid smell (actually its well documented) but I didn’t notice it. Not sure why but perhaps it was my excitement at finding a new botanical curiosity. Looking around for information on these fruits, which I think technically are seeds, led to a lot of confusion on my part. It isn’t simple but here is some of what I learned. The seeds can be eaten (in moderation) if you can get by the ‘aromatic’ smell of the fleshy outer covering. They are considered a delicacy in some Asian cultures. Be careful as handling the outer coating can give a painful rash to some people. Gingko Trees are sexed with only the female producing seeds. It can take up to twenty years until they start ‘bearing’.


Sitting here the sights and smells of the autumn NYBG trip are coming back to me. The slanted warm sunshine, slight smell of decay and the rustling of the leaves all stand out now. This winter is going to get a little harsher around here over the next few days. Today’s forecast calls for a high of 22 degrees (F) and a wind of 10 to 20 mph from the NNW. Tonight is supposed to be 8 degrees Fahrenheit, which I think is around minus 13C. We got about 2 inches of snow yesterday. As bad as we have it here I do feel sorry for the people in the Southern United States. There is probably going to be a lot of plant material that doesn’t make it through the sustained cold temperatures.