How to Grow Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is an ancient, virtually indestructible tree with distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn spectacular gold in autumn. Plant in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. It tolerates pollution, compacted soil, and urban conditions better than almost any other tree. Growth is slow for the first decade, then accelerates. Choose a named male cultivar to avoid smelly fruit. Needs almost no maintenance once established — just remove dead wood in winter. Allow plenty of space as it eventually becomes a large tree.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needed once established. Young trees benefit from a balanced feed in spring for the first 3-5 years. Mature trees are self-sufficient.
Watch For
- Very few pests or diseases
- Occasional leaf scorch in hot dry summers
- Root disturbance when young
Companions
Hakonechloa, Hosta, Fern, Heuchera
Track your Ginkgo care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun to partial shade
Performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Full sun produces the densest canopy and best autumn colour.
💧 Watering
Low once established; moderate for young trees
Water deeply once a week during dry spells for the first 3-5 years. Mature trees are very drought-tolerant and rarely need supplemental irrigation.
🌱 Fertilizing
Rarely needed
Young trees benefit from a balanced feed in spring for the first 3-5 years. Established trees are self-sufficient in most soils.
✂️ Pruning
Minimal — remove dead wood in late winter
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter while dormant. Avoid heavy pruning as ginkgo heals slowly and resents hard cuts.
❄️ Overwintering
Fully hardy in the UK; no protection needed
Ginkgo is extremely cold-hardy and survives temperatures well below -20°C. Young trees may suffer minor tip dieback in severe winters but recover fully in spring.
Growing Tips
Choose a male cultivar
Female ginkgo trees produce foul-smelling fruit in autumn. Named male cultivars such as 'Fastigiata' or 'Princeton Sentry' avoid this problem entirely.
Be patient in youth
Ginkgo grows slowly for the first 10 years, sometimes only 20 cm per year. Growth accelerates once established, so plant it where you want it long-term.
Urban conditions suit it well
Ginkgo tolerates compacted soil, air pollution, and heat reflected from paving better than almost any other large tree, making it excellent for courtyard gardens.
Autumn colour drops all at once
The spectacular golden-yellow autumn colour often falls within a few days of peak — position the tree where the golden carpet on the ground can also be enjoyed.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Ginkgo Aphid
Identification: Clusters of small greenish insects on new shoot tips and undersides of young leaves in spring.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water.
- Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
- Systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid as a last resort.
Pest Horse Chestnut Scale
Identification: Waxy brownish scales on stems and branches; sticky honeydew and sooty mould below infested areas.
- Scrub scales off with a soft brush and soapy water.
- Apply horticultural oil in late winter before bud break.
- Contact insecticide applied when crawlers emerge in late spring.
Disease Leaf Scorch Abiotic (heat/drought stress)
Symptoms: Brown, papery leaf margins or patches in hot dry summers, particularly on young trees.
Treatment: Water deeply during prolonged dry spells for trees in the first 5 years. Mulch the root zone to retain moisture.
Prevention: Apply a 7-10 cm mulch of bark chips over the root zone each spring.
Disease Crown Gall Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Symptoms: Rough, corky galls at the base of the trunk or on surface roots, usually noticed at planting.
Treatment: No chemical cure. Remove and destroy badly infected plants. Avoid wounding the base of the tree.
Prevention: Buy from reputable nurseries; inspect root collar before planting.
Log Ginkgo in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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