Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Ginkgo trees are a valuable addition to food forests and permaculture systems due to their resilience, multifunctionality, and long lifespan. Their nuts provide a nutritious food source, while their stunning foliage supports biodiversity by offering habitat and shade. The tree’s ability to thrive in challenging conditions, including urban and degraded environments, makes it an excellent choice for restoration projects and silvopasture systems. With minimal maintenance requirements and significant ecological and cultural contributions, Ginkgo biloba stands out as a timeless and practical tree for diverse landscapes.

Ginkgo grows as a tall, columnar tree with distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in fall. It grows steadily, averaging about 30 cm or more annually, and develops an open, pyramidal shape as it matures. Female trees produce small, fleshy seeds encasing edible nuts, while male trees remain fruitless. Its roots, while rubbery and prone to damage during transplanting, establish deeply, making the tree highly drought-tolerant over time.

Size at Maturity- Canopy layer. Grows to 50-70 feet tall with a spread of 30+ feet. First 20 years 30 feet, spread of 10 feet

Current Size- Large 6"-10", 1 year old seedling
Small Under 6", 1 year old seedling

Ginkgo biloba has been cultivated for centuries, valued for its medicinal and nutritional uses. Its nuts are an integral part of Asian cuisine and culture, appreciated for their mild, nutty flavor and high nutritional value. The leaves are widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to support cognitive function and circulation. Ginkgo is one of the most resilient tree species, capable of thriving in polluted urban environments where many other trees fail. Its ability to grow without fertilization or pruning adds to its low-maintenance appeal, making it a popular choice for parks, streetscapes, and food forests.