Varieties Of Ginkgo Trees

If you’re looking for a tree that combines ancient history with tough-as-nails resilience, look no further than the ginkgo. The world of varieties of ginkgo trees offers distinctive and resilient types perfect for almost any landscape.

These living fossils have survived for millions of years, and the cultivated types available today inherit that legendary toughness. They resist pests, pollution, and even drought once established. Whether you want a towering shade tree or a compact ornamental, there’s a ginkgo variety for you.

While all ginkgos share that iconic fan-shaped leaf, different cultivars offer unique shapes, sizes, and growth habits. This makes selecting the right one for your garden much easier. Here are some of the most popular and reliable types you can find.

Classic Upright & Shade Types

These are the large, traditional forms that most people picture. They are ideal for parks, large yards, or street planting where their majestic form can be fully appreciated.

‘Autumn Gold’: This is arguably the most popular male cultivar. It forms a broad, pyramidal shape and is famous for its consistent, brilliant yellow fall color. It’s seedless and a reliable performer.
‘Princeton Sentry’: A very narrow, columnar form that’s perfect for tight spaces. It grows tall but stays slender, making it excellent for lining driveways or as a vertical accent. Its also a male, seedless tree.
‘Saratoga’: This one has a unique growth habit with slightly pendulous branches and a more open canopy. The leaves are often deeper green and have a distinctive notch at the tip.

Unique & Dwarf Varieties

Not everyone has space for a massive tree. Thankfully, breeders have developed smaller, more unusual ginkgo forms that fit beautifully in residential gardens.

‘Mariken’: A fantastic dwarf and slow-growing cultivar. It forms a dense, low, spreading mound or globe. It’s perfect for small gardens, rockeries, or even large container planting for many years.
‘Jade Butterfly’: A small, shrub-like ginkgo with tightly packed leaves. It grows very slowly and has a distinctive, upright but compact form. Its name comes from the leaves resemblance to butterfly wings.
‘Troll’ (or ‘Tremonia’): Another super dwarf type. It stays very small and bushy, rarely exceeding a few feet in height. It’s a real conversation starter for miniature landscapes.

Distinctive Foliage & Form Types

Some ginkgos are grown for there unique leaf shapes or unusual growth patterns, adding an extra layer of interest to your garden design.

‘Variegata’: As the name suggests, this type features leaves splashed with creamy white variegation. It’s less common and grows more slowly, but it adds stunning light contrast to green spaces.
‘Horizontalis’: This is a wide-spreading, low-branched form that grows more like a large shrub than a typical tree. It creates a beautiful, tiered architectural effect.
‘Pendula’: A weeping form with branches that cascade downward. The size and shape can vary, but it always creates a graceful, sculptural focal point.

Why Ginkgos Are So Resilient

Their toughness isn’t just a sales pitch; it’s built into their genetics. Understanding this helps you appreciate why they’re such low-maintenance choices.

Pest & Disease Resistance: Ginkgos have virtually no serious insect or disease problems. You won’t need to spray them, which is great for the environment.
Environmental Tolerance: They handle urban pollution, road salt, compacted soil, and wind with remarkable ease. Once established, they are also quite drought-tolerant.
Adaptability: While they prefer full sun and well-drained soil, ginkgos will adapt to a wide range of soil types and pH levels, though they grow best in deep soil.
Longevity: Plant a ginkgo, and you’re planting for generations. These trees live for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years with minimal care.

Planting and Caring for Your Ginkgo

Getting your ginkgo off to a good start is simple. Follow these steps for success.

Choosing the Right Spot

Sunlight is key. Choose a location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. Consider the mature size of your chosen cultivar—give it plenty of room to grow without interfering with structures or power lines. Remember, these are long-lived trees, so plan for its future size, not just its size at planting.

Planting Steps

Dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
Gently remove the tree from its container and loosen any circling roots on the outside of the root ball.
Place the tree in the hole, ensuring it’s straight. Backfill with the native soil you removed, gently tamping it down to remove large air pockets.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil. Create a small berm of soil around the edge of the hole to help hold water.

Early Care Tips

The first few years are the most important for establishing a strong root system.

Watering: Water regularly for the first two growing seasons. Provide a deep soaking once a week during dry periods, rather than frequent light sprinklings.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips) around the base of the tree. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk itself to prevent rot.
Fertilizing: Usually not necessary. If growth seems very slow, a light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring can help, but avoid over-fertilizing.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. The best time to prune is in late winter. Simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain a good structure.

A Important Note on Female Trees

Most ginkgo cultivars sold are male, and for good reason. Female ginkgo trees produce fruit that, when it falls and rots, emits a strong, unpleasant odor often compared to rancid butter. The flesh can also be a slipping hazard on sidewalks. For this reason, always choose a named male cultivar for landscape planting to avoid this messy problem. This is one of the few downsides to an otherwise perfect tree, but its easily avoided by selecting the right type.

FAQ: Common Questions About Ginkgo Trees

Are all ginkgo trees messy?

No, not if you choose a male cultivar. Male trees do not produce the foul-smelling fruit. They only drop their leaves in the fall, which create a beautiful golden carpet and are easy to rake.

How fast do ginkgo trees grow?

Ginkgos are considered slow to medium growers. They might add 1 to 2 feet per year under ideal conditions. Dwarf varieties grow even slower. Patience is rewarded with a incredibly sturdy and long-lived tree.

Can I grow a ginkgo in a container?

Yes, dwarf varieties like ‘Mariken’ or ‘Jade Butterfly’ can thrive in large containers for many years. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage and be prepared to water more frequently than an in-ground tree. Eventually, they may need to be planted in the landscape.

When is the best time to plant a ginkgo?

Early fall is ideal, as it allows the roots to establish in cool soil before winter. Spring is also a very good time, as long as you can provide consistent watering through the first summer.

Do the leaves really turn gold in fall?

Absolutely. The fall color is a stunning, pure yellow that is remarkably consistent from year to year. It’s one of their most celebrated features. Some cultivars, like ‘Autumn Gold’, are specifically selected for there exceptional fall display.

Choosing one of the many distinctive varieties of ginkgo trees is an investment in a lifetime of beauty with minimal fuss. Their resilience makes them a smart choice for new and experienced gardeners alike. By selecting the right cultivar for your space and giving it a simple start, you can enjoy a piece of prehistoric wonder in your own backyard for decades to come.