The Ginkgo biloba tree, which is also called the maidenhair tree, is very old. It has been around for more than 270 million years. Ginkgo trees are native to China, but they are grown all over the world because their leaves are pest-resistant and have a unique fan shape.
While ginkgo trees can live for thousands of years it takes patience and care to grow them from seeds. By following a few simple steps you can propagate new ginkgo trees from seed in your own backyard.
Gathering Ginkgo Seeds
The first step is acquiring viable ginkgo seeds. Only female ginkgo trees produce the fleshy, plum-like fruit that contains the seeds, called ovules. Male trees pollinate the fruit but do not produce any.
To find seeds, look for fallen, ripe ginkgo fruit around mature female trees in late fall. The fruit has a soft, smelly pulp covering a hard inner shell. Wear gloves when handling the fruit, as the pulp can cause skin irritation.
Get several fruits and remove the pulp to get to the hard seed shell inside. Fill a plastic bag with wet peat moss and clean seeds. Seal the bag and set it aside. Store the bag somewhere warm (60-70°F) for 4-8 weeks. Before stratification, this ripening period gives the seed embryo time to fully develop.
Stratifying Ginkgo Seeds
Stratification mimics winter conditions, breaking seed dormancy so germination can occur in spring.
Once the seeds are ready, put them in the fridge to cold stratify. Put them in wet sand bags or soilless seed starting mix. Store at 40°F for at least 3 months. Check the level of moisture every so often and add water as needed to keep the medium damp but not soaked.
You can also stratify seeds by planting them in pots that will be left outside over the winter. Just make sure the seeds don’t get too wet and stay moist.
Planting Stratified Ginkgo Seeds
In early spring, retrieve stratified seeds from the fridge or outdoor containers. Gently rub each seed with fine sandpaper or an emery board to lightly abrade the hard shell. This scuffs the surface to aid water uptake.
Plant seeds in pots or trays filled with a sterile, well-draining medium like horticultural sand and perlite. Sow seeds shallowly, about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep. Water thoroughly after planting.
Cover seeded containers with clear plastic wrap or a humidity dome to retain moisture. Place them somewhere warm, around 70°F. Bottom heat from a seedling heat mat also encourages germination.
Caring for Germinating Seeds
Ginkgo seeds may take 1-2 months to germinate. As soon as the first sprouts emerge, remove any coverings so the seedlings don’t overheat.
Keep the planting medium moist but not saturated as the seedlings establish. Add weak liquid fertilizer once true leaves appear.
When seedlings have 2-4 true leaves, transplant into larger containers filled with potting soil. Bury the stem up to the lowest set of leaves. Place seedlings somewhere sunny and let them grow over summer.
Transplanting Ginkgo Seedlings Outside
In fall, harden off ginkgo seedlings by slowly introducing them to outdoor conditions. Begin bringing them outside for a few hours at a time, gradually increasing time outdoors over 7-10 days.
Find a sheltered spot with well-draining soil and partial sun. Dig holes twice as wide and deep as each seedling’s root ball. Carefully remove seedlings from containers, loosen any circling roots, and place into holes. Backfill with native soil, water thoroughly after planting, and add mulch.
Stake tall or weak seedlings to provide support as they establish over the first year. Watch soil moisture and water when dry. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
With patience and proper care, you can grow beautiful ginkgo trees from seeds in your own backyard! The waiting time is well worth it to propagate these majestic, long-lived trees.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Ginkgo Seeds
Follow these simple steps for the best chance of success growing ginkgo trees from seed:
1. Gather Ripe Ginkgo Seeds
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Collect fallen fruit from female ginkgo trees in late fall when fruit is soft and yellowish. Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.
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Clean off pulp from fruits to access the hard inner seed shell. Discard any rotting or moldy seeds.
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Place clean seeds in sealed bags with moist peat moss. Store for 4-8 weeks at 60-70°F to allow embryos to ripen.
2. Stratify Seeds for Dormancy
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Move ripened seeds to the fridge inside bags of moist soilless mix. Stratify at 40°F for at least 3 months.
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You can also sow seeds into containers left outside over winter. Just keep seeds moist.
3. Plant Stratified Seeds in Spring
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Gently abrade seed shell by rubbing with sandpaper to aid water uptake.
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Fill containers with sterile seed starting mix. Sow seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep.
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Water thoroughly after planting and cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture.
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Place somewhere warm (70°F) to encourage germination. Bottom heat also helps.
4. Care for Ginkgo Seedlings
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Remove coverings once seeds sprout to prevent overheating. Keep soil moist but not saturated.
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Add liquid fertilizer when true leaves appear. Transplant into larger pots when seedlings have 2-4 true leaves.
5. Transplant Seedlings Outside in Fall
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Harden off seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.
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Choose a site with well-draining soil and partial sun. Dig holes twice the width/depth of root balls.
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Carefully transplant seedlings into holes, backfill with native soil, water thoroughly, and mulch. Stake tall seedlings for support.
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Water when dry and fertilize in early spring. Seedlings will establish over first year.
Tips for Successfully Growing Ginkgo Trees from Seeds
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Source fresh seeds from female trees every year for best viability. Store properly and stratify fully for highest germination rates.
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Use sterile planting medium and pots to prevent fungal issues. Bottom heat accelerates germination.
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Transplant seedlings when young to avoid root binding. Grow them in partial sun with adequate water and fertilizer.
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Introduce seedlings to outdoor conditions slowly to prevent transplant shock. Carefully plant into sheltered site with good drainage.
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Be extremely patient! Ginkgo trees grow slowly from seeds. It may take over 10 years for seedlings to mature and bear fruit.
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Start more seeds than you need since germination rates vary. You can give away or transplant excess seedlings.
With proper harvesting, storage, stratification, and care, you can propagate new ginkgo trees from seed. This ancient, resilient species makes a rewarding addition to any landscape.
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I studied horticultural sciences at university and in my free time you can find me in my own patch of land, growing anything with roots. I am particularly passionate about self-sufficiency and seasonal food. Favourite fruit: quince, cornelian cherry and blueberries Favourite vegetables: peas, tomatoes and garlic.
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest tree species on the planet and is what is known as a “living fossil”. Find out all about the ginkgo’s origins and how to cultivate it yourself.
Ginkgo trees occupy a very special position among plants as they belong neither to the conifers nor to the deciduous trees. Here is our guide to this prehistoric plant with tips on planting, care and use of the ginkgo tree.
Ginkgo: history, origin and characteristics
As early as 250 million years ago, ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) evolved within the primeval forests of the Permian period. It was another 100 million years before the first deciduous trees emerged. Ginkgos are one of the few tree species that have lived through the time of the dinosaurs, the evolution of the first birds, and were still common in Central Europe about 30 million years ago. The Ice Age finally forced the primeval tree to grow and thrive in the warmer regions of China. It was there that botanists and plant lovers discovered the ginkgo tree, allowing it once again to spread worldwide. It is the only living member of the ginkgo family (Ginkgoaceae). While there may not be a large selection of species, there are some different ornamental forms and varieties.
Ginkgo trees are pretty big. They can get up to 15 to 30 m tall and 10 to 15 m (sometimes more) wide. They grow somewhere in the region of 35 – 40 cm in height per year. The bark is grey-brown and deeply grooved, the wood is light yellow. The striking leaves and seed heads gingko trees produce have given rise to several other names, for example, maidenhair tree, duck foot tree and Japanese silver apricot.
Gingko tree leaves are uniquely fan-shaped with long stalks. They have deep notch in the middle and lobed edges. They feel thick and rough when you touch them. In spring, the leaves are a light green but they turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn.
Each ginkgo tree has either purely male or purely female flowers. Male ginkgos form long, inconspicuous catkins that spread their pollen by wind. Female trees grow single flowers on long stems between April and May at the time of leaf emergence.
Botanically speaking ginkgo trees do not form fruit, they form hard seeds with a fleshy, silvery yellow seed coat. These are only formed on the female trees, and the seed coat emits a particularly unpleasant smell of butyric acid. As a result, you will almost exclusively find male gingko planted in gardens. In September, the seeds (about 2 – 3 cm in size) fall from the tree and the smelly seed coat rots, leaving the edible core.
How to grow a Ginkgo tree from seed (Maidenhair tree)
FAQ
How do you start a ginkgo tree?
Propagating Ginkgo TreesStart by cutting the tip ends of growing branches in the summer. Place branches in a container filled with loose soil or rooting mix. Add a rooting hormone to the soil mixture for additional support. Water cuttings so the soil remains moist, but also use a system that has proper draining.
Is ginkgo easy to grow?
It is very easy to grow ginkgo because it doesn’t get bugs or diseases and only needs sunlight and soil that drains well.
Why can’t you eat too many Ginkgo nuts?
Ginkgo biloba is one of the world’s oldest living tree species and has become popular as an ornamental tree in many countries. The natural toxins in ginkgo seeds can make you sick if you eat too many of them at once.
How can you tell if a ginkgo seedling is male or female?
The easiest way to tell them apart is by the fruit. Only females tend to put out fruit (smell and messy) and therefore, males should only be planted. The problem with this is fruit will not be put out until the tree reaches maturity, at that point its too late.