This living fossil dates back 270 million years and is surprisingly a conifer tree! The unusual fan shaped foliage of Ginkgo biloba is light-green, turning bright, clear yellow in the autumn. The leaves are often split in the centre into two lobes, hence the name "biloba" and as they are reminiscent of maidenhair ferns, it has gained the popular name of "maidenhair tree".
Ginkgo biloba is a hardy conical tree that slowly broadens and spreads with age. Ginkgo will grow in exposed inland conditions and is ideal for urban environments as it will tolerate pollution and limited soil space. Avoiding shade, it will grow to 10 x 4 metres in 20 years. If the space is available, this tree makes a real talking point.
Interesting Fact: Ginkgo biloba is the national tree of China
AKA Maidenhair tree, Fossil tree, Gingko