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Maidenhair tree

How to identify Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)

Maidenhair tree, also known as Kew Ginkgo

Maidenhair tree manifests as a hardy, deciduous tree, reaching heights of up to 115 feet (35 meters). It features a distinctive, irregular crown and fan-shaped leaves that turn vibrant yellow in the fall. Male trees produce small, pollen-filled catkins, while female trees bear plum-like seeds with a soft and fleshy outer layer. The bark is typically greyish-brown, deeply furrowed, and provides a rugged texture.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Maidenhair tree

1

Distinctive fan-shaped leaves, turning vibrant yellow in fall, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long.

2

Plum-like pseudo-fruits with yellow-orange fleshy outer layer emitting strong odor when ripe.

3

Imbricate stem pattern, light gray-brown, rough texture, mounded branching, 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm).

4

Rugged grey-brown trunk, vertical ridges, fluted appearance, 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) diameter in maturity.

5

Male pollen cones around 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm), female ovules on short stalks for seed development.

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Detailed Traits of Maidenhair tree

Leaf Features

Maidenhair tree has uniquely shaped, fan-like leaves that are emerald green and measure approximately 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. These simple, alternate leaves are arranged in clusters of three to five and feature a distinct yellow coloring in the fall. The veins are dichotomous, meaning they repeatedly fork into pairs. This vein pattern, along with the fan shape, makes the leaves easily identifiable. The texture is smooth, and the leaf margin is often slightly wavy.

Leaf Shape

Flabellate

Maidenhair tree Leaf Shape image
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Flower Features

Maidenhair tree does not produce traditional flowers but has distinct reproduction structures. Male plants have small, elongated pollen cones, typically yellowish, measuring about 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) in length. Female plants produce 1-2 ovules on short stalks, which develop into seeds with a fleshy exterior. There are no petals, scent, or blooming period similar to flowering plants as fertilization occurs through motile sperm, reflective of their ancient lineage.

Maidenhair tree Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of maidenhair tree features a distinctive, layered appearance with an imbricate pattern. It is typically light gray-brown in color, turning darker with age. The texture is rough and ridged, especially on mature stems. Stems can reach a thickness of 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) and exhibit a mounded and acute branching pattern, contributing to a somewhat irregular, yet elegant growth habit. These characteristics aid in distinguishing maidenhair tree from other tree species.

Maidenhair tree Stem image
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Fruit Features

The reproductive structures of maidenhair tree resemble fruits and consist of seeds with a distinct appearance. They boast a plumlike size and are encased in a yellow-orange fleshy outer layer that typically emits a strong, unpleasant odor when ripe. Enclosed within this layer is a hard, smooth, cream-colored inner wall. When mature, these pseudo-fruits drop to the ground, often creating a messy display. They are notable for their specific coloration and olfactory characteristic.

Maidenhair tree Fruit image
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Key Facts About Maidenhair tree

Attributes of Maidenhair tree
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
20 m to 35 m
Spread
8 m to 11 m
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Green
Yellow
Fruit Color
Yellow
Green
Orange
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Maidenhair tree
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Scientific Classification of Maidenhair tree

Class
Ginkgos
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Order
Ginkgos
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Family
Ginkgo
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Genus
Ginkgo
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Species
Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Learn More About the Maidenhair tree

Distribution Map of Maidenhair tree

Maidenhair tree is native to sunny and well-drained locations in Eastern China and has been introduced in other parts of East Asia and also in Romania and the US state of Illinois. Though uncommon in the wild, it prefers deciduous forests and valleys with acidic, silty soil.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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