Ginkgo is pretty in autumn with its golden leaf color.
Among the easiest, most resilient of deciduous trees to grow, the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) readily succeeds in all but soggy, poorly drained soils. Ginkgo trees display two-lobed fan-like leaves that turn an attractive golden yellow in fall. A slow-growing plant, it eventually matures at 50 to 80 feet tall with a spreading branching habit 20 to 50 feet wide. If possible, always plant a ginkgo tree that is grafted and male in gender; female trees bear lots of whitish orange fruits that smell terrible and create a disgusting mess on the ground. Ginkgo grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3b through 9a.
Instructions
1. Plant the gingko tree in a location where it will grow best and prosper for decades. Any soil that drains well suffices, but make sure the site receives at least eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. A moist soil is best, especially if you want the tree to grow more than 6 inches a year.
2. Irrigate the ginkgo tree after planting to keep the root ball moist. For the first 10 years after planting, provide water to the root zone during droughts. Once established, the ginkgo tolerates considerable drought, but when it's younger, protecting it from overly dry soils allows the root system to grow stronger. Provide enough water to moisten the top 12 to 18 inches of soil every three weeks during a summertime drought.
3. Prune away any dead or broken branches any time of year. Use hand pruners and make the cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch above a lower branch junction or short spur where leaves grow or buds rest dormant. If the branch is greater than 3/4 inch in diameter, use loppers or pruning saw to remove it. Cut branches flush with the main trunk, avoiding tearing bark down the trunk or damaging the trunk with any cutting blades.
4. Reduce plant competition around the trunk of the tree by pulling weeds and laying a 3-inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone. The mulch also keeps lawn mowers away from the trunk's face. Maintain the mulch annually as it naturally decomposes to release humus to build the soil and nutrients for the tree roots. Mulch is particularly beneficial in sandy soil regions or where irrigation isn't available.
5. Rake up leaves in mid to late autumn, if desired, to keep the turf grass free of debris and exposed to light. Use the leaves as mulch at the base of the ginkgo or place it in the compost pile. If the tree is female and produces fruits that drop to the ground, rake up and discard the smelly fruits in a thick plastic garbage bag and dispose in the landfill.
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