Ginkgo Tree Facts

'Bearer of Hope', 'Longevity'

Ginkgo biloba is the only species of Ginkgo genus.

Used in medicine since very early human history.

The kernel is roasted by the Chinese and Japanese, eaten like pistachios.

Only surviving member of prehistoric tree groups before conifers and can be described as a 'Living Fossil'.

Carbon impressions of the leaves have been found in fossilised rocks from the Permian Period (290–248 million years ago). Some of the best fossils are from the Jurassic Strata of North Yorkshire.

Some in Chinese forest Reserves are estimated to be 2000 years old.

Six Ginkgo trees in Hiroshima, Japan are still alive today after being atomic-bombed in 1945.

The soft outer shells are said to smell like sweaty feet.

The tree's scientific name, Ginkgo biloba, means 'Bi-lobed Silver Apricot' (the seeds look like silver apricots) after translation from Chinese and Latin ('Ginkgo' comes from the Chinese 'Yinxing').

Also known as Maidenhair Trees as the fan-shaped leaves are reminiscent of the Maidenhair fern.

For millions of years, Ginkgo thrived across Laurasia, the northern supercontinent. In the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event approximately 66 million years ago, most of the flora and fauna of the Dinosaur Age were wiped out. However, Ginkgo persevered and gradually reduced in population over following millenia.

​​By the end of the Pleistocene Epoch (Ice Age), Ginkgo was reduced to isolated populations in China. They almost became extinct but their natural resilience to the elements helped them to survive.

Humanity's interest in Ginkgo trees also played a factor in its survival; it is believed that Buddhist Monks revered the trees for their beauty, resilience and medicinal properties. Hence, the tree can be most commonly found in China and Japan.