Sky Tower Ginkgo Tree

When it comes to urban toughness, few trees can rival the maiden hair tree, or Ginkgo. Known for its wonderful golden fall colors, and the elegant leaves, resembling those of the maiden hair fern, it grows into a large tree, so is unsuitable for typical, small, urban gardens. That’s why we love the Sky Tower Ginkgo Tree, a splendid smaller version that grows into a very narrow column hardly more than 30 feet tall and 5 or 6 feet wide. It’s perfect for smaller spaces, perhaps filling the corner of a courtyard, or framing your front door. It needs no trimming to keep its slender shape, and is as tough as nails when it comes to surviving in less-than-ideal situations. It has the same beautiful foliage as larger forms, and the same spectacular blaze of gold to end the season, and it is a male tree, so no nasty fruit will fall to bother your garden. The winter profile of ascending branches is reminiscent of the poplars of Lombardy. In a larger garden it would be wonderful as a grove of 3 or 5 out on a large lawn, and at the other extreme it would also be perfect potted and trimmed into a fascinating bonsai. If you love ginkgo but don’t have a lot of space, then this is the tree you need. This is a male tree, so no stinky fruits will form.

• Tight column of branches no more than 6 feet wide
• More compact growing than other varieties, rarely passing 30 feet
• Handsome foliage like over-sized fern leaves
• Spectacular fall coloring of pure gold
• Incredibly tough, tolerating urban conditions with ease

Cold-resistant, the Sky Tower Ginkgo Tree is perfectly hardy in zone 4, although an early frost may prevent it developing fall colors. It tolerates urban pollution, salt spray and bad soil, thriving and surviving where most other trees fail. Any well-drained soil is fine, from sand to clay and including building-site rubble. Water frequently during its first season and after that it needs little attention. No pruning or trimming is needed to maintain the narrow shape. Deer won’t eat it and it has no pests or diseases, so plant it and sit back for guaranteed success, even if you have never gardened before.