Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold': 'Autumn Gold' Maidenhair Tree

Introduction

This male cultivar of Ginkgo is practically pest-free, resistant to storm damage, and casts dense shade. It makes a durable street tree where there is enough overhead space to accommodate the large size. The shape is often irregular with a large branch or two seemingly forming its own tree on the trunk. But this does not detract from its usefulness as a city tree unless the tree will be growing in a restricted overhead space. If this is the case, select from the narrow upright cultivars such as `Princeton Sentry' and `Fairmont'. Ginkgo tolerates most soil, including compacted, and alkaline. The tree is easily transplanted and has a vivid yellow fall color which is second to none in brilliance, even in the south. However, leaves fall quickly and the fall color show is short. Unlike the species, the tree does not set fruit.

General Information

Scientific name: Ginkgo biloba

Pronunciation: GINK-go bye-LOE-buh

Common name(s): 'Autumn Gold' Maidenhair Tree, `Autumn Gold' Ginkgo

Family: Ginkgoaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 3A through 8A (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: urban tolerant; street without sidewalk; specimen; highway median; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; Bonsai; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 25 to 50 feet

Spread: 25 to 35 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: oval

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: lobed

Leaf shape: fan-shaped

Leaf venation: parallel, palmate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: yellow

Fall characteristic: showy

Flower

Flower color: green

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit

Fruit length: no fruit

Fruit covering: no fruit

Fruit color: no fruit

Fruit characteristics: no fruit

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: brown, gray

Current year twig thickness: medium, thick

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; acidic; alkaline; well-drained; occasionally wet

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: yes

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

Ginkgo may grow extremely slow for several years after planting, but will then pick up and grow at a rapid rate, particularly if it receives an adequate supply of water and some fertilizer. But do not overwater or plant in a poorly-drained area. Get grass away from several feet around the trunk to help the tree become established. Very tolerant of urban soils and pollution, Ginkgo could be used more in USDA hardiness zone 7 but is not recommended in central and southern Texas or Oklahoma due to summer heat. Adapted for use as a street tree, even in confined soil spaces. Some early pruning to form one central leader is essential.

There are several other cultivars: `Fairmont' - male, fruitless, upright, oval to pyramidal form; `Fastigiata' - male, fruitless, upright growth; `Laciniata' - leaf margins deeply divided; `Lakeview' - male, fruitless, compact broad conical form; `Mayfield' - male, upright fastigiate (columnar) growth; `Pendula' - pendent branches; `Princeton Sentry' - male, fruitless, fastigiate, narrow conical crown for restricted overhead spaces, popular, 65 feet tall, available in some nurseries; `Santa Cruz' - umbrella-shaped, `Variegata' - variegated leaves.

Propagation is by budding to seedling understock.

Pests and Diseases

This tree is pest-free and considered resistant to gypsy moth.