Columnar Ginkgo Tree

As our gardens get smaller, there is a greater need for care when planting trees, so they won’t become too large for the space available. Luckily there are often slender selections available of many of the most popular trees. If you love fall color, and want it on a tough, easy-to-grow tree that survives even in difficult urban conditions, then look no further than the Columnar Ginkgo Tree, whose narrow profile creates a beautiful slender tree that fits into small spaces, or makes a graceful accent in larger ones. When its unique leaves turn butter gold you will be glad you chose this tree, and you will as well when neighbors struggle with pests and diseases, while your tree is untroubled.

The Columnar Ginkgo Tree is a full-sized ginkgo tree, that will in time grow to perhaps 50 feet tall. However, it always stays slender, and a mature tree is no more than 15 feet wide, and often less. It can be planted within 6 feet of a boundary or building, and never intrude or become a hazard. To develop the narrowest and most striking profile, prune as necessary to keep a single top shoot – a leader – so that the tree develops a single central trunk. No other trimming is needed. The branches rise sharply upwards, making a narrow, flame-shaped crown on a trunk that can be raised to any height you need, or left to grow low and close to the ground. The bark of this tree is pale brown to soft gray, with a rough, ridged texture, and it is rugged and attractive. The trunk and branches create a striking winter feature. The stems develop many short side-shoots, that carry the leaves, so branches remain leafy all along their length, not just at the tips, giving a dense and full crown.

The leaves of the Columnar Ginkgo Tree are unique among all shade trees. They are 2 to 4 inches long, and fan-shaped, with smooth sides. The end of the leaf is lobed and irregular, and the veins are parallel and branching, radiating upwards along all the leaf surface, without the strong central vein and smaller side veins seen on all other deciduous trees. They are dense and firm, but smooth to the touch, and a beautiful light, glowing green color in spring and summer. The leaves stay green into fall, and then colder weather turns them a glowing golden tone, uniform along the whole crown of the tree. This butter-yellow column glows and radiates sunlight, and has a glorious look to it. Mixed with other fall trees, or growing alone, it makes a powerful impact at that time of year. This tree has inconspicuous flowers in spring, and no fruit is produced, since it is a male tree.

Grow the Columnar Ginkgo Tree as a striking specimen on a small lawn, or in a group of 3 or 5 on a larger lawn for a wonderful effect. Its narrow profile makes it the perfect choice for a small urban garden or in a courtyard, and this tree is very durable in tough urban conditions. Grow it in the corners of beds, or as a row along a driveway or boundary. Planted as a hedge it can be trimmed to maintain a lower form, and it makes a unique and interesting hedge or screen. It can also be grown for years in planters and pots, where it gives height and privacy without taking up room. Don’t be disappointed or alarmed if you tree doesn’t grow much for the first couple of seasons. It takes a little time to establish, but once it does it will grow 12 to 18 inches a year, and soon become a handsome specimen. 

Plant your Columnar Ginkgo Tree in full sun or light partial shade – it will tolerate a few hours of shade each day. This reliable tree is known for its ability to grow in almost any kind of soil, including heavy clays and urban soils. Avoid wet soils but keep trees with an adequate supply of water when they are young, to produce good growth. Established trees are drought tolerant. Some tree fertilizer will also help your tree grow more rapidly. This tree has no pests or diseases and it is very reliable, growing to a great age and becoming more and more beautiful. Trimming is not required to maintain its slender shape.

The Columnar Ginkgo Tree is a selected form of Ginkgo biloba. This tree is sometimes called the maidenhair tree because the leaves resemble the leaflets of the maidenhair fern. It is often called a ‘living fossil’ because it is the last member of a primitive group of trees, around with the dinosaurs, that were once common and widespread on the earth. This tree survived because Chinese monks grew it in their temple gardens, and it has never reliably been found growing wild. It has been grown in Europe for over 300 years, and its ability to thrive in urban conditions, where many other types of tree fail, has made it a popular tree around the world. The variety called ‘Fastigiata’ is really a collection of forms, all with narrow, upright branches, that has occurred several times among seedlings, and been propagated by grafting. This is how our trees are created, so you know they will keep their desirable narrow form. This popular tree is always in high demand, so order yours now, while our stock remains available.