Ginkgo Tree Facts

'Bearer of Hope', 'Longevity'

Ginkgo biloba is the only species in the genus Ginkgo, which is the only one in the family Ginkgoaceae, which is the only one in the order Ginkgoales, which is the only one in the division Ginkgophyta. The fossil record of Ginkgo is over 200 million years old. It is the only surviving member of prehistoric tree groups before conifers and can be described as a "living fossil".

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').

In some countries, the kernels are roasted and eaten like pistachios. In China, the kernels are known as bai guo and are used in vegetarian dishes. In Japan, they are known as ginnan and are served as a bar snack. (Gardenista, 2022)

Used in medicine since very early human history.

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 tree and kernels are mostly odourless, however some people have described the soft outer shells as smelling like sweaty feet.

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.