Look closely at its fan shaped leaves. Can you see what is different from all other tree leaves? The veins all radiate out from the stalk. Most ginkgo trees are male because female trees produce seeds which have a very unpleasant smell. There is however a female ginkgo in the Gardens near the junction of Newbold Terrace and Willes Road. Ginkgos are extremely resistant to pollution and commonly planted as street trees including in Leamington.
In Hiroshima, there are 6 trees which were between 1 and 2 kilometres from the atom bomb explosion of 1945. They were severely charred, but when spring came they burst into leaf again and are still alive. Also known as the maidenhair tree, is regarded as a living fossil being an extremely ancient species which was around at the time of the dinosaurs.
Country of origin
China, Eastern Asia
Credits
The 'Trees at Jephson's project' has been delivered by Warwick District Council. With the kind sponsorship of Leamington Town Council and the Leamington Society.