KTRS 550 Inside Out Show PLant of the Week October 16 2010

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' is a selection of my favorite and easiest to identify tree. He is classified as a deciduous (leaf dropping) conifer (a true gymnosperm).

His distinct, double-lobed, fan-shaped leaves form a well distributed canopy throughout his beautiful almost symmetrical branching. His posture is tall, upright, lean, and strong. His demeanor is proud as if he is aware of the importance of his survivorship since prehistoric times.

'Autumn Gold' is a male cultivar that grows at a moderate rate in his youth but like many of us slows down with age. He is likely to reach his mature height of 35-40' before the inevitable but endearing widening to his mature yet pleasing 20-30’ spread!

His foliage signals the onset of autumn, with a blast of gold that gleams like a well polished French horn. In the forefront of a clear blue cloudless sky, this gingko plays a spectacular solo or blends as needed in a well orchestrated landscape!

The leaves tend to persist and then as if taking a bow, they all drop to the ground in one collective movement. The result is a round of applause from the audience- (at least me) and the ground gracefully and abundantly littered in foliage “show tickets” in the same regal gold!

Care factor rating: 1 This tree was selected for his great representation of this notable fall color trait, but like all Ginkgos, he is easy to grow in average soil in full sun with moist, but well-drained alkaline or acidic soils. He will tolerate compacted clay but not overly soggy soils. All Ginkgos are also tolerant of saline conditions, air pollution and heat.