Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Ginkgo




One of the first trees we spotted on our initial trail through Longwood Gardens was a female Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) – one of the largest that I have ever seen!

Also called the Maidenhair tree or a "living fossil," Ginkgo biloba is the only species of Ginkgoales to have survived the tests of time on Earth. Originating in the Jurassic Period, the ginkgo species is roughly 150-200 million years old, and some fossils have dated as far back as 250-270 million years.

This post is for
Kelly Schmitt Youngberg over at Ginkgo Dreams. If you like Ginkgo trees, her site is the place to be!

7 comments:

  1. Wow, thanks!

    Quick question: Is that one of the largest ginkgo trees you've ever seen, or one of the largest female ginkgo trees you've ever seen? I have a theory that many female ginkgo trees don't live out their natural life because of the stink factor.

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  2. I love Ginkgo trees...the leaves are so unique.

    Love yesterday's post and pictures, too. I don't think I've ever seen a yew in bloom before!

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  3. Kelly, to answer your question, this is one of the larger ginkgo trees I've ever seen in general, although I have heard the same about female trees (and it was noted on the tag too). There are some good-sized ginkgo trees in Washington state, but this is certainly the biggest I've seen in PA so far!

    Michelle, yes, ginkgo trees are just lovely, and they turn such a fabulous, bright yellow in the autumn!

    Becky, I'm sure you'll enjoy Kelly's blog - she's got all kinds of cool stuff over there!

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  4. The ginko leaves are beautiful. We have maidenhair fern and maidenhair liverwort, but they don't seem to resemble the tree.

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  5. lené, greetings! Indeed, the maindenhair tree is different from the maidenhair ferns and liverworts - but oh!...they are all beautiful! Maidenhair ferns are especially lovely. :)

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  6. I love gingkos too. I've never grown one, and think maybe I shall add one to my garden someday. Oh, I have such a big list of trees I would like to live with, I would need a small forest to grow them in!

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  7. I know just what you mean Salix - there are just too many wonderful trees out there! :)

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