Growing the Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree

Size and Appearance

The Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree is a unique dwarf tree, growing slowly to become 10 or 15 feet tall and perhaps 10 feet wide, in its first 20 years. It lends itself well to creative pruning, or it can be left to grow naturally into an upright slender pyramid of angular branches. The bark is a handsome pale brown-gray, with deep vertical grooves developing over time, and rugged ridges that give it a lot of character. The leaves are arranged in two ways – along new stems they are evenly spaced, but older stems carry their leaves in clusters from very short, thick side branches, called ‘spurs’. In this variety these clumps are dense and bushy, giving mature trees a unique look that has been compared with the Lion’s Head Japanese Maple (‘Shishigashira’). The actual leaves are about 2 inches long and wide, only two-thirds the size of normal ginkgo leaves, shaped like an open fan, with many thin veins growing towards the end, and an irregular edge of rounded cuts and waves. The leaf is held upwards, a little like the wings of a Butterflies, and they are an exceptionally-bright dark green, compared to other ginkgo trees. In fall they turn a reliable light golden yellow, making a beautiful sight. Leaves don’t yellow until cold weather comes, so in warmer zones it can be November before this tree colors. This tree is a male tree, and the inconspicuous flowers might not even be noticed. No fruits form, so the objectionable smelly fruit of female trees is completely avoided – guaranteed.

Using the Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree in Your Garden

This is a dwarf tree, so there is no danger of it outgrowing even a small space. Use it in small urban gardens and courtyards, and it is perfect to bring an Asian feel to a simple garden layout. Grow a row as an informal screen, or create an avenue along a path or driveway – ideal if you don’t have a large garden but want that majestic look. This is also a great little tree for a planter box or tub, and for developing into a bonsai tree.

Hardiness

The Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree grows everywhere from zone 4 to zone 9, but in some years you won’t see fall color in zone 4, because the temperatures can fall so fast that the leaves drop before they have a chance to color.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Full sun is best for the Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree, and that will also give the best fall coloring. Despite its smaller size, this tree is just as rugged and durable as other ginkgo trees, so it thrives in urban environments and poor soils, as well as, of course, better garden soils. Acid and alkaline soils are suitable, and so are soil types from clay to sand. It tolerates urban air pollution and road salt as well. Avoid soils that are constantly wet.

Maintenance and Pruning

Unless you are training it to a specific form, this tree needs no special care. It is normally free of pests and diseases and once established it is drought resistant. If you do have a future shape in mind, remove unwanted branches early, to avoid developing scars that will take many years to disappear.

History and Origin of the Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree

The maidenhair, or ginkgo tree, Ginkgo biloba, is a unique tree, given its own division in the plant kingdom. It is quite literally a living fossil, and this species is around 200 million years old, remaining unchanged since it first evolved. Despite its appearance, and having its own special division among plants, its closest relatives seem to be conifers, because the flowers are cone-like. It has been grown in gardens and temples for centuries in China and Japan, and apart from a few ‘semi-wild’ areas it seems to have become extinct in the wild a long time ago. Always a popular tree, many varieties have been developed. The variety called ‘Jade Butterflies’, or ‘Jade Butterfly’, was first listed in America by ArborVillage Nurseries, Holt, Missouri, in 2006. It originated in New Zealand, at one of that country’s most famous and oldest nurseries, Duncan and Davies, and the name is from the way the leaf clusters look like clumps of small, fluttering butterflies. Both these nurseries no longer exist.

Buying the Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree at the Tree Center

The Jade Butterflies Ginkgo Tree is a unique and remarkable small tree that is not just for collectors, but for anyone who wants a special specimen in their garden. Ideal for small gardens, our stock of such a rare plant is very limited, so order now – they will all be gone very soon.

Growing the Saratoga Ginkgo Tree

Size and Appearance

The Saratoga Ginkgo Tree is a unique deciduous tree that grows into a pyramidal form, reaching when mature a height of around 40 feet, with a crown that is around 30 feet across, significantly more compact than seedlings or many other named varieties of this tree. The growth rate is relatively slow, and this is a tree to plant for the future, with an expected life of at least 150 years. The bark is an attractive light gray-brown, with deep vertical furrows and ridges giving it a lot of rugged character. The leaves are evenly spaced along new shoots, while on older stems they grow in clusters from short, knobby spurs. Each leaf is about 3 inches long and up to 3 inches wide at the end, and this variety has a characteristic long, slender tapering form to the leaves, which makes them slightly pendulous. The end of the leaf is divided into two distinct lobes. The foliage is a bright, clear green, and holds that color beautifully all through spring and summer. In fall the leaves first turn lime-green and then the whole tree becomes a gorgeous glowing sentinel of butter gold, making a wonderful display of uniform color that can last several weeks. Ginkgo has separate male and female trees, and females produce a fruit that is renowned for its terrible smell. The Saratoga Ginkgo Tree is a male tree, and it doesn’t produce fruit, so you have no worries in that department.

Using the Saratoga Ginkgo Tree in Your Garden

This beautiful pyramidal tree is a perfect lawn specimen in any garden. It is ideal for planting in a row as a screen, and it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, so it can be planted freely almost everywhere. Allow at least 20 feet distance from buildings, walls and property boundaries, and don’t plant beneath overhead wires. For screening plant your trees at 7 to 10-foot spacings. This tree is also a popular and relatively easy choice for creating bonsai, of all sizes, and it can also be grown in a large tub for years.

Hardiness

The Saratoga Ginkgo Tree is completely hardy from zone 4 to zone 9. Fall foliage may not be reliable in zone 4, where early frost in some falls can make the leaves drop before they turn yellow.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Grow this tree in full sun for the best results. It will grow in just about any kind of soil, from sand to clay, acid to alkaline, and in poor urban soils and areas damaged by construction. Only permanently wet soil is unsuitable, although rich, well-drained soils give the best results. It tolerates urban air pollution and road salt well.

Maintenance and Pruning

The Saratoga Ginkgo Tree is normally completely free of pests or diseases, and it needs no particular care once it is established. It can be pruned as needed, although this is not normally necessary. Remove lower branches early if you need more clearance underneath, to avoid developing large scars on the trunk.

History and Origin of the Saratoga Ginkgo Tree

The Gingko Tree is quite literally a living fossil, and this species is around 200 million years old, remaining unchanged since it first evolved. Despite its appearance, and having its own special division among plants, its closest relatives seem to be conifers, because the flowers are cone-like. It has been grown in gardens and temples for centuries in China and Japan, and apart from a few ‘semi-wild’ areas it seems to have become extinct in the wild a long time ago. Always a popular tree, many varieties have been developed. The variety called ‘Saratoga’ was selected in 1975 from among a batch of seedlings, by breeders at the Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation in California. That prestigious group was founded by nurseryman Ray Hartman, horticulturist Maunsell Van Rensselaer, and other nurserymen, in Saratoga, California in 1952. Its goal was to breed plants suitable for gardeners in the western states. Today it is the Saratoga Horticultural Research Endowment, administered by the University of California, giving grants for plant research.

Buying the Saratoga Ginkgo Tree at the Tree Center

Planting trees is a special activity that connects us with the future. You can enjoy the Saratoga Ginkgo Tree today, and leave a legacy for those yet to come, by planting one. Order now, because there is enormous demand for this highly-regarded variety and our stock will soon be all gone.

The Columnar Ginkgo Tree is a full-sized ginkgo tree, that will in time grow to perhaps 50 feet tall. However, it always stays slender, and a mature tree is no more than 15 feet wide, and often less. It can be planted within 6 feet of a boundary or building, and never intrude or become a hazard. To develop the narrowest and most striking profile, prune as necessary to keep a single top shoot – a leader – so that the tree develops a single central trunk. No other trimming is needed. The branches rise sharply upwards, making a narrow, flame-shaped crown on a trunk that can be raised to any height you need, or left to grow low and close to the ground. The bark of this tree is pale brown to soft gray, with a rough, ridged texture, and it is rugged and attractive. The trunk and branches create a striking winter feature. The stems develop many short side-shoots, that carry the leaves, so branches remain leafy all along their length, not just at the tips, giving a dense and full crown.

The leaves of the Columnar Ginkgo Tree are unique among all shade trees. They are 2 to 4 inches long, and fan-shaped, with smooth sides. The end of the leaf is lobed and irregular, and the veins are parallel and branching, radiating upwards along all the leaf surface, without the strong central vein and smaller side veins seen on all other deciduous trees. They are dense and firm, but smooth to the touch, and a beautiful light, glowing green color in spring and summer. The leaves stay green into fall, and then colder weather turns them a glowing golden tone, uniform along the whole crown of the tree. This butter-yellow column glows and radiates sunlight, and has a glorious look to it. Mixed with other fall trees, or growing alone, it makes a powerful impact at that time of year. This tree has inconspicuous flowers in spring, and no fruit is produced, since it is a male tree.

Grow the Columnar Ginkgo Tree as a striking specimen on a small lawn, or in a group of 3 or 5 on a larger lawn for a wonderful effect. Its narrow profile makes it the perfect choice for a small urban garden or in a courtyard, and this tree is very durable in tough urban conditions. Grow it in the corners of beds, or as a row along a driveway or boundary. Planted as a hedge it can be trimmed to maintain a lower form, and it makes a unique and interesting hedge or screen. It can also be grown for years in planters and pots, where it gives height and privacy without taking up room. Don’t be disappointed or alarmed if you tree doesn’t grow much for the first couple of seasons. It takes a little time to establish, but once it does it will grow 12 to 18 inches a year, and soon become a handsome specimen. 

Plant your Columnar Ginkgo Tree in full sun or light partial shade – it will tolerate a few hours of shade each day. This reliable tree is known for its ability to grow in almost any kind of soil, including heavy clays and urban soils. Avoid wet soils but keep trees with an adequate supply of water when they are young, to produce good growth. Established trees are drought tolerant. Some tree fertilizer will also help your tree grow more rapidly. This tree has no pests or diseases and it is very reliable, growing to a great age and becoming more and more beautiful. Trimming is not required to maintain its slender shape.

The Columnar Ginkgo Tree is a selected form of Ginkgo biloba. This tree is sometimes called the maidenhair tree because the leaves resemble the leaflets of the maidenhair fern. It is often called a ‘living fossil’ because it is the last member of a primitive group of trees, around with the dinosaurs, that were once common and widespread on the earth. This tree survived because Chinese monks grew it in their temple gardens, and it has never reliably been found growing wild. It has been grown in Europe for over 300 years, and its ability to thrive in urban conditions, where many other types of tree fail, has made it a popular tree around the world. The variety called ‘Fastigiata’ is really a collection of forms, all with narrow, upright branches, that has occurred several times among seedlings, and been propagated by grafting. This is how our trees are created, so you know they will keep their desirable narrow form. This popular tree is always in high demand, so order yours now, while our stock remains available.

In addition to all the aforementioned benefits, it is resistant to all pests and diseases, grows in any soil, resists urban pollution and needs no particular care. It is rarely eaten by deer and will soon be too tall for them to reach if they did decide to. This special tree makes a unique shade tree or decorative garden tree and as it is so tough it is also an excellent choice for a screen for privacy or as a wind-break, as long as extremely rapid growth is not needed. Because it is a little slower in growth, it is long-lived, hardy and not prone to breakage. It needs no special care to reward you with its beauty and durability.

We sell only trees that are true to the original form and we give you the best plant for your purpose. However, we are constantly renewing our stock so our customers get fresh, healthy plants, so supplies of this tree may be limited. To avoid disappointment order now.

Growing Autumn Gold Ginkgo Trees

The Autumn Gold Ginkgo Tree grows about a foot a year (or a little more), so it is a reliable fast-growing tree that will mature soon and as a screen the trees will grow together as they mature. Trees actually grow faster after the first few years. It is remarkably resistant to all pests and diseases – and although deer will sometimes eat the leaves they rarely or never eat branches, so no harm is done to the tree. Once established it is tolerant of moderate drought, but benefits from water during extended dry periods, especially when young.

Hardiness

The Ginkgo Tree is hardy in zones 3 to 9, so it is an excellent choice for colder parts of the country, where other trees may not thrive. It will thrive in almost any soil, but favours damper soils that are also well-drained. In practice it will grow almost anywhere, but the growth rate will be faster under better conditions. For a fast-growing screen, plant trees 10 feet apart in well-dug soil and water and fertilize them regularly. Before long you will have a beautiful screen or avenue of trees, blazing in golden glory every fall.

Planting Location

The Ginkgo Tree is best grown in full sun, but it can be planted in some shade if it will reach the sun when it grows taller. Water your tree every week for the first season, and after that during dry spells. These trees do not normally need pruning, but you can remove any crowded branches and shorten any that are in the way. If necessary this tree can also be pruned as hard as needed and it will quickly recover.

History and Origins of the Gingko Tree

The ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) is often describes as a ‘living fossil’ because it is the last member of a type of tree that was once wide-spread and common. It is likely that the only reason we still have this tree is from the activity of Chinese monks who preserved specimens in their temple gardens. It was introduced into Europe 300 years ago, and sometime later into America. Today it is widespread in China, Europe and America, where its hardiness and ability to thrive in urban conditions where other trees would die, has made it a popular tree choice.

The wild ginkgo tree grows ultimately into a large tree up to 100 feet tall, but the Autumn Gold Gingko Tree will only reach a height of 25 to 50 feet tall, and 20 to 30 feet wide when mature. It begins life as a narrow, upright tree and only as it ages does it become broader, which makes it useful for smaller gardens. The leaves are unique, being shaped like a fan, with a deep cleft in the tip and parallel veins. They are very beautiful and resemble in shape the leaves of the Maidenhair Fern, which is why this tree is also sometimes called the Maidenhair Tree.

Male and female flowers are on separate trees, but the Autumn Gold Ginkgo Tree is a male, so no fruit is produced. As this fruit has a very strong, unpleasant smell, the lack of fruit is a good thing. In fall this selected variety has leaves turn a beautiful butter yellow color before falling. The fall color in Gingko trees is variable when grown from seed and some trees never color well, so our Autumn Gold Ginkgo Trees are grown by taking stems from correctly identified parent trees and joining them to the roots of seedling trees. This is skilled work, and takes longer, but it is the only way to guarantee perfect fall color, which cheaper seedling trees will not have.