Ginkgo biloba trees are one of the oldest recorded species of trees, with fossil evidence dating back thousands of years. Native to China, these tall and impressive trees are prized for their mature shade, as well as their impressive and vibrant yellow fall foliage. With so many positive attributes, it is easy to see why many homeowners may want to plant ginkgo trees as a means to diversify their landscapes. Read on for tips on growing a new ginkgo tree.
How to Propagate a Ginkgo
Depending on the growing zone, ginkgo trees can live hundreds of years. This makes them a great option for homeowners who wish to establish mature shade plantings that will thrive for decades to come. While impressively beautiful, ginkgo trees may be difficult to locate. Luckily, there are many ways to begin propagating ginkgo trees. Among these ginkgo propagating techniques are by seed and through cuttings.
Seed propagating ginkgo
When it comes to ginkgo plant reproduction, growing from seed is a viable option. However, growing a new ginkgo tree from seed is somewhat difficult. Therefore, beginner gardeners may have greater success choosing another method.
Like many trees, ginkgo seeds will need at least two months of cold stratification before being planted. Germination of the seed may take several months before any sign of growth occurs. Unlike other methods of ginkgo propagation, there is no way to ensure that the resulting plant from seed will be either male or female.
Propagating ginkgo cuttings
Propagating ginkgo trees from cuttings is one of the more common methods to grow new trees. The process of taking cuttings from trees is unique in that the resulting plant will be the same as the “parent” plant from which the cutting was taken. This means growers will be able to selectively choose cuttings from trees that demonstrate the desired characteristics.
To take cuttings of ginkgo biloba trees, cut and remove a new length of stem about 6 inches (15 cm.) long. The best time to take cuttings is in midsummer. Once the cuttings have been removed, dip the stems into rooting hormone.
Place the cuttings into a moist, yet well-draining, growing medium. When kept at room temperature, with adequate humidity, ginkgo tree cuttings should begin to take root in as little as eight weeks.
