My Gingko Tree

When I was in Kyoto, I stopped to admire these vibrant gingko leaves.

Seeing them made me think of the gingko tree that has been growing at my farm in Bedford, probably for the last 250 years.  Although not as sizable as some of the ancient gingkos I saw on my trip, my tree is quite massive, measuring 13-feet 7-inches around its trunk.

When I left for Japan, its leaves were intact.  However, the night I returned, it got so cold that the next morning, the leaves of my gingko all seemed to drop at once.  Look at this soft carpet of leaves.  Isn’t it amazing?

   

Here’s something you may not know about gingko trees.  When it comes to trees, most fall into one of two main categories – conifer or broad-leaved.  The ginkgo, or ginkgo biloba, however, is unlike any other tree on earth because it belongs to its very own order, of which it’s the only surviving member.  Considered to be a living fossil, many scientists believe that the ginkgo was the very first tree to evolve.  And, while other trees and plants have become modified throughout history, the ginkgo remains virtually the same as it ever was.  The ginkgo is often called the maidenhair tree in the Western world, because its fan-shaped leaves greatly resemble the delicate fronds of the maidenhair fern.

Here is a small young gingko on my property, it's leaves fell the same night as my large one!

Although ginkgos grow the world over, some of the oldest specimens are found in South Korea, Japan, and in China, where there is one that is reported to be more than 3,000 years old.  In ancient China, the ginkgo was known as the ‘duck’s foot tree,’ because the leaves resemble the webbed foot of a duck.  But, today, some Chinese doctors refer to the ginkgo as the ‘memory tree,’ because the leaves contain a compound that is said to enhance brain activity and strengthen memory.  Ginkgo is also believed to improve blood flow, and it’s used in herbal preparations to treat many circulatory problems.

Comments

[PAULINE]

I found this article very interesting...I have alot of different trees on my property & after reading your article intend to explore to see if I too may have a ginkgo!

[Alicia]

It does look amazing! I've never seen leaves carpet the ground like that!
ps-I love you martha!!!!

[Margie]

Interesting. Do you believe your ginko tree was transported over from Asia some 250 years ago?

[Andrew Ritchie]

That carpet of leaves is ideal for a secret nap! Raking them up would seem a shame. Thanks for the info, Martha!

-Andrew

[Jon Mondrik]

Hi Martha,
Let be begin by telling you that my thoughts and prayers are with your mother. Hope she recovers very soon. I, as well as many of your other MSL devotees appreciate the fact that you shared the news about your mother on the show, despite reading some media objections of it being TMI. Thank you for trusting your instinct and your fans.
Truly amazing how those ginkgo tree laid down a green carpet of welcome on your return home. And thanks for the info on the ginkgo tree. I always learn something wonderful and new from your blog, show and magazines. You are by far my favorite teacher.
Take care,
Jon

[Amy Mowbray]

WOW! I love the carpet of leaves. It's absolutely beautiful. Great pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us.

-Amy

[Sylvia]

Thanks Martha for letting us in on the information of your beautiful Gingko tree on your property. I have always loved the Gingko tree because it was so unusual. Wonderful to know the Gingko is a living fossil. WOW! We learn so much from you. Please keep up your blogs and your information on all things. Were getting educated.

[Trish]

Let me see; you have well-behaved horses, donkeys, dogs, and cats and now the Ginkgo leaves wait for you to come back from your exciting trip from Japan before they all fall at the same time. Talk about an organized household! Do you ever have a boring day? I didn't think so.

I was so impressed with that tree that I took some time to do some more research. You make me so inquisitive! Thanks.
Trish

[Dawn]

I recently visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house and studio in Oak Park, Illinois (outside Chicago). I was immediately enamored by the Gingko tree. He had a large one in his front court and it served as a source of inspiration for a lot of the design throughout his house. I intend to see if one would do well in Southern California – if not, my heart will be broken! I love the shape of those leaves, and the pictures in this post make me love them even more.

[Sherry Hutchens]

We have many gingko trees here in Walnut Creek, CA, about 20 miles east of San Francisco. They are gorgeous trees and they do drop their leaves all at once. But before they do, they have a stunning display of yellow leaves in the fall and make lovely shade trees in the summer. The local public works department is starting to use them to line streets where trees are needed. Lucky us!

[hr in nyc]

Barnard is surrounded by Gingko trees too, which is one of many things I love about that college. Do you use the Gingko fruit from your tree? I hear that they have a very strong and distinct smell, but the actual fruit inside isn't so bad. And I suppose that's where the memory-improving nutrients are?

[Lynda Bentley]

I have gingko trees, too. Isn't it amazing how the leaves fall all at one time ?! And an autumn gingko tree is just gorgeous.. with the leaves a beautiful shade of yellow.

I live in south Georgia and my trees haven't turned yet.. but any day now they will. Then I'll also enjoy the carpet of yellow that you've already experienced.

Do you have a female tree? A couple of mine are females and THAT'S the only drawback to this beautiful tree.. If not raked up right away, the berries ferment on the ground and it smells AWFUL !! But if I leave the berries alone, in the spring I usually have lots of baby gingkos sprouting up. I've given no telling how many baby gingkos to friends, neighbors & relatives over the years!!

I enjoyed reading about your gingkos.. and I learned even more about the history of this beautiful tree.

Thank you.
Lynda Bentley

[tivogirl]

A few weeks ago, my co-worker was due to deliver her second child. We predicted the baby would be born on the day the gingko tree across the street from the office dropped its leaves. Guess what? We were right! While Kay was in the hospital we collected a few leaves and took photos of the tree. I'm sure the birth announcement will be feature the tree!

[kristi canant]

I also have a small gingko, my husband transplanted it twice.
It hasnt grown very well.
I feel it is because we have moved it. Thanks for all the info. about the tree.
I to am sad for your loss. We love you, Martha.

Thank You
Kristi Canant
Oklahoma

[Winnie]

I've eaten gingko and heard about its benefits too.

But man, I've never seen the plant before and those shots are really pretty, Martha!

[Kathryn Piazza]

Big Martha, may memories of you live on as the long lived Ginko Tree. You were loved by all and will be missed. I have a Ginko too in my front yard. Now when I look and admire it, I'll think about you. Thank you for being such a delightful and loving person to everyone, even through the TV.

[Joan Gonter]

Dear Martha, Thanks for posting the pictures of your Ginkos. Ever since collecting leaves for a school project in the sixth grade in a tiny town in W.Va., I have been fascinated by the Ginko Tree. There was one very old Ginko in that town and the whole class displayed a leaf from that tree.
I have repeated the fossil theory to many people over the years, so imagine my delight when I spotted Ginkos lining the parade ground at the Naval Academy here in Annapolis, while my son was in attendance there.
Thanks for reviving pleasant memories, Joan Gonter

[J MacLean]

My daughter lives in Atlanta where there are many gingko trees. When she was in college, she pasted these beautiful leaves all over the door of her bedroom in her apartment. They of course turned from green to that gorgeous yellow and stayed that way for such a long time. A young architect saw those leaves while attending a party there and THAT he claims, is what attracted him to her. They've been married 10 years and the gingko leaf is their talisman, appearing as green leaves in their wedding invitations, as silvered leaves on the wedding tables, and gilded as necklaces for their wedding attendants. Each anniversary there is a small token of a gingko leaf as its a memory tree and their good times are never forgotten.

[Ginger]

To answer an earlier poster's question - only the female trees produce the smelly fruit. Most nurseries only sell male trees - I know the one where I bought mine did so. Make sure to ask before you buy one, though.

[TeenSleuth]

I love ginkgo trees. They are the official tree of our city, Athens, Georgia. When the leaves fall, the sidewalks downtown are covered in that beautiful yellow carpet ... it's wonderful! Thanks for this info--I didn't realize they were such relics!

[Donna Allen]

i first saw the gingko tree in organic garden mag. and fell in love with it's large trunk but can't find any information onwher to buy. please help

[Mona Lisa Sams]

That is the biggest ginkgo tree I have ever seen. We have them downtown Charleston, and became quite interested in them, especially for their yellow leaves in the fall. I have purchased and planted a small gingko tree and cannot wait till it blooms this spring.

[vince curley]

Is it possible to grow Gingko trees from cuttings, not just seeds?