Maidenhair trees, more commonly known as ginkgo trees, are popular because of their hardy growing abilities, beautiful leaves and coloration and the ease of care involved with growing and pruning them. Taking care of a ginkgo tree is easy even for inexperienced gardeners. Proper pruning and care of a ginkgo biloba tree helps ensure that the tree will live for many years, and regular attention to the tree will stop problems before they become too serious.
How to Care for Ginkgo Trees
Add fertilizer to the soil around the base of the tree in the spring or summer. Annual applications of a balanced fertilizer will keep the soil healthy and give the ginkgo trees the nutrients it needs to keep growing. Use a balanced fertilizer that supplements any missing nutrients from the soil around the tree.
Water the ginkgo tree regularly. Ginkgo trees need moist soil in order to grow well. Water the tree weekly, or alter the watering schedule based on the amount of rainfall the tree receives. Avoid overwatering the tree, as too much water can cause problems for the tree.
Add mulch to the area around the tree to help with water retention and protecting the ginkgo’s roots. Do not put mulch directly against the trunk of the tree. Moisture trapped against the trunk by mulch can house harmful fungi that damage the ginkgo.
Ginkgo Biloba Pest Problems – Fungi and Insect Problems with Ginkgo Trees
Although ginkgo trees are resistant to many pest and fungal problems, performing annual or seasonal checks can help stop any problems that do occur. Check the ginkgo tree for signs of pest problems, including insect damage and fungal diseases. Fungal diseases will leave spots on the leaves of the tree, while insects may bore into the tree or lay eggs on the leaves and branches.
Apply pesticides or fungicides to the ginkgo tree according to the directions on the package if any pest or fungal problems are found. Timely application of fungicides and pesticides can help keep the ginkgo tree healthy.
Remove any affected leaves of the ginkgo tree if they show signs of fungal problems. This helps stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of the tree or the rest of the garden. Dispose of the leaves in the garbage.
How to Prune a Ginkgo Tree
Choose one branch to be the leader branch early in the life of the ginkgo tree. Choose a central, upright branch to act as the trunk of the ginkgo tree. Use pruning shears to remove any other leader branches that compete with the main leader branch and stop them from sapping nutrients from the tree.
Make angled cuts at the leader branch or the nearest adjoining branch to prevent the ginkgo tree from sustaining damage during the pruning of both leader branches and other branches.
Remove any branches that have been damaged by weather, insects or disease. Damaged branches can die and begin to rot, which provides a place for harmful fungi to grow.
Cut off any branches that cross the center of the ginkgo tree and block sunlight from reaching lower areas of the tree. Prune smaller branches from the top of the ginkgo tree to allow more sunlight to reach the lower branches of the tree. Cutting smaller branches also encourages new growth to emerge and keeps the ginkgo tree healthy.
Fun Facts About Ginkgo Trees
Ginkgo trees are called maidenhair trees because their dual lobed leaves resemble part of the maidenhair fern. Additionally, ginkgo trees are known as living fossils, because they are the only remaining species still living in their order. Recognizable ginkgo fossils have been found as far back as the Permian Period, which was 270 million years ago.
Keeping a ginkgo tree healthy involves very little extra effort on the part of a gardener, because maidenhair trees are so hardy and resistant to disease and other problems. When properly cared for, a ginkgo tree will offer beauty to a garden for many years.
Sources:
International Organisation of Paleobotany, Ginkgo biloba – Its Ancestors and Allies, 2010.
Bailey Shoemaker Richards - Bailey is a writer from Ohio. She is pursuing a creative writing degree at Ohio University, where she is currently a senior. Bailey ...
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