Some trees are ornamental. Some are architectural. And then there is Ginkgo biloba - the Maidenhair Tree - a genuinely ancient tree species that has been growing on this planet since long before the dinosaurs walked it. A true living fossil, utterly unlike anything else you can plant in a British garden, and one of the most spectacular deciduous trees for autumn colour you will ever see.
An Ancient Tree with Modern Appeal
Ginkgo biloba is the sole surviving member of an entire plant division - a lineage that has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years. When you plant one, you are not simply adding a tree to a garden. You are placing something that watched the continents shift.
The famous specimens at Kew Gardens, planted in 1762, are a useful reference point for anyone sceptical about its suitability for the British climate. They are magnificent. They are healthy. And they demonstrate, without any ambiguity, that this ancient tree species is perfectly at home in the South East of England.
Botanically, Ginkgo biloba is classified as a gymnosperm - which puts it in a completely different category from every other broadleaf deciduous tree in cultivation. It has no close relatives. Nothing else looks like it. Nothing else behaves quite like it. That singularity is a large part of its appeal to anyone who takes trees seriously.
What Does It Look Like?
The fan-shaped leaves are the first thing you notice - and the detail that gives the Maidenhair Tree its common name, for their resemblance to the fronds of maidenhair fern. Each leaf is distinctive: a neat, often bilobed fan with veins that radiate outward from the stalk rather than from a central midrib. No other hardy tree has leaves that look remotely similar.
Through spring and summer, the foliage is a fresh, clean mid-green. Then autumn arrives, and Ginkgo biloba produces one of the most dramatic seasonal displays of any garden tree in the UK. The leaves turn a clear, luminous golden yellow - not the orange-red of a liquidambar, not the burgundy of an acer, but a pure, almost incandescent gold. And then, often within a matter of days, the leaves drop - all at once - creating a golden carpet beneath the tree that is genuinely breathtaking.
In winter, the silhouette is sculptural and architectural. Young trees are upright and conical; older specimens broaden and become more irregular, with deeply furrowed greyish-brown bark that adds real textural interest. At full maturity, Ginkgo biloba can reach up to 25 metres, though this takes many decades. Growth is slow to moderate, which makes the tree far more manageable than that eventual height might suggest.
One important practical note for buyers: Ginkgo biloba is dioecious, meaning male and female trees are separate. Female trees produce fruit with a notoriously unpleasant smell. For garden planting, always specify a grafted male cultivar. Any reputable nursery supplying ornamental specimens should be offering exactly that.
Growing Conditions and Suitability for UK Gardens
Ginkgo biloba is fully hardy across the UK. Cold winters are not a problem. Surrey and South East conditions suit it well - and the well-drained, often sandy or loamy soils common across much of Surrey are close to ideal.
It is adaptable to a broad range of soil types, tolerating both slightly acidic and slightly alkaline conditions, provided the site is not waterlogged. Good drainage matters more than soil pH. Full sun produces the best autumn colour, though partial shade is tolerated without significant difficulty.
Where Ginkgo biloba genuinely excels - and where it stands apart from many other specimen trees - is its tolerance of urban conditions. Pollution, compacted soils, reflected heat from hard surfaces: this tree handles all of it without complaint. For city gardens, courtyard schemes, or planting close to driveways and structures, that resilience is genuinely valuable. Once established, it is also notably drought-tolerant.
Perhaps most usefully for anyone specifying trees for low-intervention planting schemes: Ginkgo biloba is virtually pest and disease free. There is nothing to spray, nothing to monitor, and very little to worry about once the tree is in the ground and settled.
Planting and Establishment
Autumn through early spring is the ideal planting window for rootball specimens. Container-grown trees can go in year-round, provided watering is consistent through the first growing season. Plant at the same depth as the nursery container - avoid burying the root flare, which is a common mistake with specimen trees that causes long-term problems.
Stake young trees for the first couple of seasons, particularly in exposed positions. Apply a generous mulch ring - keeping it clear of the trunk - to retain moisture and suppress weeds during establishment. Water regularly through the first year. After that, Ginkgo biloba is largely self-sufficient.
For those requiring immediate impact, semi-mature and rootball specimens are available at Cedar Nursery. Our team can advise on sizing and suitability for specific sites - it is worth having that conversation before you commit to a planting position, particularly for larger specimens.
Landscape and Garden Design Uses
As a specimen tree for a generous lawn or parkland-style garden, Ginkgo biloba is outstanding. It works beautifully as a focal point at the end of a vista, or as a structural anchor within a formal garden layout. Its clean geometry suits Japanese-inspired and minimalist schemes particularly well.
For narrower spaces or avenue planting, columnar cultivars such as Ginkgo biloba 'Fastigiata' types offer the same extraordinary character in a more upright, space-efficient form. These are also well-suited to urban courtyards where the full spreading form of the species would be impractical.
In terms of planting companions, the golden autumn tones of Ginkgo biloba pair beautifully with late-season perennials - ornamental grasses, rudbeckias, and sedums all complement the colour palette without competing with the tree's seasonal moment.
This is also, emphatically, a legacy tree. Those who want to plant something that will grow in significance and beauty for generations - something their grandchildren will still be admiring - should be seriously considering Ginkgo biloba.
Care and Maintenance
Pruning requirements are minimal. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter, and otherwise leave the tree to develop its natural form. Heavy pruning disrupts that form and is rarely necessary or beneficial.
An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter is generally all the feeding an established tree needs. In good, fertile soil, additional feeding is rarely required at all. There is no routine spraying programme. No particular pest to watch for. No disease to manage.
The simultaneous autumn leaf drop is worth noting if you have not encountered it before - it can look dramatic, and occasionally alarms people who have not seen it happen. It is entirely natural, entirely healthy, and the leaves are easy to collect and compost. Consider it a feature rather than a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ginkgo biloba suitable for UK gardens?
Yes. Ginkgo biloba is fully hardy across the UK and thrives in South East conditions. It tolerates a broad range of soils, handles urban pollution well, and is drought-tolerant once established. Surrey's well-drained soils suit it particularly well.
How fast does a Ginkgo biloba tree grow?
Ginkgo biloba is a slow to moderate grower. It may take many years to reach its full potential height, but this steady growth makes it entirely manageable over the decades and contributes to its exceptional longevity.
Should I choose a male or female Ginkgo biloba?
For garden planting, male cultivars are strongly recommended. Female trees produce fruit with an unpleasant smell that makes them unsuitable for most residential settings. Most ornamental specimens sold by reputable nurseries are grafted male cultivars - but it is always worth confirming this at the point of purchase.
When do Ginkgo biloba leaves turn yellow?
Typically in mid to late autumn. The colour change is one of the most dramatic of any deciduous tree - a clear, luminous golden yellow that often develops quickly before the leaves drop, frequently all at once, in a striking golden carpet effect.
How large will a Ginkgo biloba tree grow?
At full maturity, Ginkgo biloba can reach up to around 25 metres, though this takes many decades. Columnar cultivars are available for more restricted spaces. Our team at Cedar Nursery can advise on the right cultivar for your site.
Come and See Us at Cedar Nursery
If you are considering Ginkgo biloba for a planting project or your own garden, come and see the specimens we have in the nursery. Our team can walk you through cultivar options, discuss sizing for your specific site, and help you make the right choice - whether you need a young tree for a long-term planting scheme or a semi-mature specimen for immediate impact. We are less than 5 miles from RHS Wisley, and you are always welcome to browse our trees department at landscaping.co.uk before you visit.
Cedar Nursery offers an impressive selection of specimen and garden trees, from native hedgerow species to architectural statement trees. Visit us in Cobham, Surrey to see our tree stock in person - our nursery manager Dave and the team can advise on the best trees for your site and conditions.
We deliver trees locally with our own team across Surrey, the Home Counties and parts of Greater London, ensuring careful handling from nursery to your garden.
Cedar Nursery, Horsley Road, Cobham, KT11 3JX. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am - 5pm. Call 01932 862473 or visit landscaping.co.uk.