So at my last women's group meeting I mentioned that I'd always wanted a ginkgo tree. Someone up the street from where I grew up had one, and I'd always stop on the sidewalk just to see the sun shining through the yellow leaves. And my group leader somehow made a mental note of this, and beyond all chance, found one and gave it to me this morning! I tried a few years ago and just got "well, we could order ya one", so I let it go. It grows really slow, I'm thinking I'll plant it in a huge pot so if DH has to make the job change he's thinking of, we can take it with us. But if anyone hsa hands-on experience (always better than the kind from books) I'd really appreciate hearing about it. For now I'm off to do a watercolor of my awesome little tree! happy happy happy me!
Congratulations on your tree, CritterPainter! Lucky, lucky you. I've never grown one - don't know if I could here. I wish you luck with yours.
Congrats Critter, normally I'd say let's see a photo but I'll wait for something even better - your watercolour
Oh what a lovely thing to do for you Mary!! Your group leader obviously thinks a lot of you to remember the tree you wanted. I hope it grows strongly for you. I'm afraid I know nothing whatsoever about Ginkgo trees but I'm sure one of our other members will be able to give you some help.
All I know is that I'd love to have one! What a wonderful gift! I think planting it in a container is an excellent idea Each time we have moved I've had a pickup full of plants that moved with us Deanna :-D
Wow! What a great gift, Mary! I do have a Ginkgo biloba tree which I planted at the edge of my property some 20 years ago. It has grown steadily 'tho slowly ever since. It was knee-high when it was planted and is only 9-10 tall, even now. We have never experienced any problems with disease or pests. The autumn color is fabulous, a bright golden-yellow, and when the leaves do fall, they seem to come down all at once. :-D I chose the planting location very carefully, mindful of the fact that they can, eventually, grow to be HUGE, and also because I don't know if my specimen is male or female. Male Ginkgo trees are much preferable as they do not produce the so-called "fruits" which exude an extremely unpleasant odor. I haven't had any problems yet . . . but I'm ready, should any arise!
Congratulation on your Ginko I do not know very much about Ginko , but I do know that is hails from China and Japan. Zuzu is right. It is a pretty slow grower and the fruits does smell awful... However I was told that the single nut that can be found inside the fruit is edible. More wonderful is that you do not need to prune it!! Good Luck with your tree
ZUZU!!!LOL!! Yes I just learned that it's from China! Very cool since DH spent his teen years living in TaiPei and has a Very soft spot in his heart for China, looking forward to telling him about that.
Wow Critterpainter, I could be so lucky! I hope it does well for you. We have a 130 year old Gingko tree at my work and I just love it. The leaves are so delicate and the color in the fall is beautiful. The leaves DO seem to fall all at once Zuzu! Luckily it is a male as it is planted next to the dining room! The Gingko is the oldest surviving species of flowering tree since the time of the dinosaur because it is pest and disease resistant.
Gingko trees are amazing. They were thought to be extinct for awhile but were found again. Considered to be the last link between the higher and lower plants they can live to be 1,000 years old. One even survived the bomb dropped in Hiroshima and is still alive today, it was only a half a mile from the blast. Planting in a container is a good idea for awhile. I planted a 12 foot tall specimen in 1985 and it is about 40 feet tall now. The leaves turn the most beautiful yellow in the fall and they do drop off all at once. I also have a couple of other types including 'Jade Butterflies', Tube Leafed and 'Saratoga'. Good luck with your tree and I hope it brings you a lot of happiness.
