Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is the only extant species in the family Ginkgoaceae. The ginkgo is considered a living fossil. It is the oldest known tree family, believed to have appeared more than 270 million years ago. It already existed some forty million years before the appearance of dinosaurs. Its leaves are unique, being formed of two palm-shaped lobes and lacking a central vein, unlike almost all modern plants. The leaves turn a magnificent golden yellow in autumn. It is a slow-growing, good-sized, very hardy tree, resistant to pollution, diseases, and pests. It adapts well to different soil types, although it prefers fertile, sandy-clay soil. Ginkgo is popular for urban planting but requires full light to develop well. Female trees produce yellowish fruits with a strong odor, but inside, there is an edible and pleasant-tasting almond after being roasted in the oven. The ginkgo is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable trees that should be planted.