Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Whole tree — Ginkgo biloba. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeGinkgo CZ ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
NC State reports few or no serious disease problems for this tree.
Insects to recognize
NC State reports few or no serious insect problems for this tree.
When to look
Observe canopy density and new growth through spring and summer.
A useful first step
Start with planting depth, drainage and drought stress if vigor declines. Low pest susceptibility does not make a tree immune to poor site conditions.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Hold a fallen leaf to the light: repeated forks in its veins are distinctive. The fan may be notched or unnotched.
Read the bark
Gray bark develops deep furrows with age.
Fruit & seed
Female ginkgo trees produce seeds with fleshy outer coats, not true fruit. Male trees do not produce these seeds.
Winter character
Short spur shoots stand out on bare branches.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
WNC Notes
A durable introduced tree. Male and female trees differ in seed production; inspect reliable planting records when this matters for placement.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
50–80
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
30–40
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Inconspicuous
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Bright yellow
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Low–moderate
Drought Tolerance
High
At Lynn’s Nursery · Autumn Gold
Ginkgo biloba Summer/Fall 2026 catalog. Confirm current availability with the nursery. Mature height × width: 40–50 ft × 25–35 ft. Light: Full sun. Habit: Upright, pyramidal shade tree. Flowers & season: Non-showy flowers; spring. Golden fall color; male cultivar avoids fruit.
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Ginkgo biloba. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeGinkgo CZ ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: Small tree with golden yellow leaves.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMark Robinson ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: Leafy shoot with leaves just turning yellow in autumn.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeRandy Harter ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Shoot bearing 2-lobed, fan-shaped leaves. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeRandy Harter ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.
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