The ginkgo is an extraordinary and very resistant species. It is a deciduous tree and should always be placed outdoors. The ginkgo exists in males and females. The female produces fruit, but their smell is so strong and unpleasant that only the males are cultivated as bonsai trees in the West.

The ginkgo has little fan shaped leaves. They are light green in summer and turn yellow in fall. The ginkgo is a symbol of prosperity, growth, and longevity in Japan, and is the emblem of Tokyo.

Position

The ginkgo should be kept outside all year round. It tolerates frost quite well, but if planted in a pot the roots can be sensitive to cold temperature. It is better to protect the root system and pot when temperatures drop below 30°F. The ginkgo loves light, but you should avoid south facing for the younger trees to avoid damage caused by continuous direct sunlight. Prefer a semi-shade location.

Watering

Water your ginkgo when the soil starts to get dry. Always keep the soil moist but not saturated. The ginkgo does not tolerate under-watering, so make sure to check on it often. In winter watering is usually not necessary as much as in summer, but make sure to keep an eye on your ginkgo to not let it dry.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is important for your ginkgo and should be done once a month between March and June, and then again in September and October. If you notice that your tree is weakening, you can increase fertilizing and apply up to once a week. Liquid fertilizer is usually easier to apply.

Repotting

Repot your ginkgo late February, early March. Ginkgo is a very resistant species that will accommodate on almost any soil, but preferably use a mix close to 80% of akadama and 20% of organic components.

Pruning

The ginkgo is not a fast-growing tree and will need only little pruning. You can perform a maintenance pruning between April and June, and a shaping pruning in winter, once it has lost all its leaves, to have a better look at the tree structure.

Wiring

Even though the branches of the ginkgo are quite flexible and can be wired, this tree is usually not shaped that much. The upright trunk that widens with age is usually what gives character to a ginkgo bonsai tree.

Propagation

The ginkgo is best propagated through cuttings. Air layering is also possible with ginkgo. You can also try to grow it from seed, but you will have to be patient. Ginkgo seeds need to be scarified to replicate the dormancy process before being sowed. It can take a very long time for ginkgo seeds to germinate.

Pests and diseases

The ginkgo is extremely resistant against pests and diseases. It is rarely infested by pests and it is barely subject to diseases.

Did you know?

The ginkgo is the only tree species to have survived the Hiroshima bomb. This tree is also very resistant to pollution, and it appeared about 250 million years ago, before the dinosaurs. It is the only remaining species of its family.