Ginkgo biloba is an ancient wonder
Fall is a colorful time in Redlands. Trees from around the world cast their tapestry of beautiful fall colors across our verdant urban forest. Bright reds, scarlets and crimsons mix with dazzling yellows, ambers, rusts and the translucent gold of the November Tree of the Month, the ginkgo biloba or ginkgo tree.
The ginkgo tree or maidenhair tree is the sole survivor of the ginkgolaceae family whose fossil records date back more than 250 million years to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. A deciduous conifer (despite its almost fern-like leaves), the ginkgo is the link between the ferns and flowering plants as well as ferns and conifers. Called a 'living fossil' by Darwin in his 'Origin of Species' of 1859, this tree may be the oldest living seed plant to survive on earth and is considered by some as one of the 'Wonders of the World.'
Ginkgo trees were once widespread in Asia, Europe and North America, but were mostly destroyed during the Ice
Tree hint of the month
Trees can have a positive impact on the greenhouse effect and may even slow global warming. Trees soak up carbon dioxide and give off the oxygen that we breath.
Studies have shown that in order to counter the greenhouse emissions of each car, we should plant 17 trees. We are in luck. Fall is our "second planting season" here in Redlands and it is one of the best times to plant trees.
Age, surviving only in certain regions of Eastern China. Scientists thought that ginkgos were extinct but ancient specimens grown in China by Buddhist monks were introduced to Japan in the late 1100s. These ginkgos were rediscovered by Europeans in 1691 in Japan. Seeds were taken to Holland and by the mid 1700s, this tree had once again spread across Europe. In 1784, ginkgos were reintroduced to the United States. In the late 1800s, it became a popular street tree in urban areas on the east coast.
Today, the ginkgo is a sacred tree in both China and Japan. It grows in many countries worldwide and it is found in almost every city in the United States.
The ginkgo is a graceful shade tree with a symmetrical upright branching habit, which will grow to a height of 25 to 50 feet with a 25- to 35-foot spread. It grows at a slow to medium rate in either full sun or partial shade. This tree is at home in most soils and is drought tolerant, one established. Young trees can be pruned in early spring, but mature specimens rarely require pruning.
The tree is also known for its peculiar fan-shaped, leathery smooth leaves, that look almost like duck feet. They are unique from any other tree. The ginkgo tree acquired its common name maidenhair tree because its leaves resemble those of the maidenhair fern.
These bi-lobed leaves are bright green during the spring and summer and then suddenly turn brilliant gold in the fall. Bonsai enthusiasts find that the unusual leaf structure of the ginkgo makes a beautiful specimen.
The ginkgo makes a superb tree provided you have the male non-fruiting variety. The small yellow fruit of the female tree can create a litter problem and it has a strong rancid odor. Some cities allow planting only of male ginkgo trees and many landscapers also recommend only the male tree.
Ginkgos have survived over millions of years because of their genetic tenacity. They are long-living trees some as long as 3,000 years. They are resistant to insects, diseases, pests and fires. They survived the dinosaurs and are even extremely tolerant of air pollution. They are fine ornamental trees that can do well even in harsh city conditions.
Since ancient times, the ginkgo tree has been used for many purposes. Ginkgo nuts have long been regarded as a delicious food by Japanese people, and these have been cooked and served in various ways. The nuts are used in ceremonies, eaten at banquets and are given away at Chinese weddings, as they are thought to bring good luck. Seeds are used in soups, stews and custards.
The delicate fan-shaped leaves are found in art, jewelry, clothing, crests and symbols. But the most significant worldwide interest in the ginkgo tree today stems from its increasing potential medical values. The ginkgo tree seems to prevent and benefit many problems throughout the entire body. The nuts, leaves and even roots provide valuable medical materials throughout the world.
The earliest Chinese record of the use of the leaves as a medicine dates back to about 2800 B.C. It seems some members of the royal court were becoming a bit senile as they aged. The legend states that the emporer looked out his window and was instructed by a "voice" to use the ginkgo tree to restore the minds of his relatives and friends.
Servants were instructed to make a tea from the tree and served it to the afflicted, who demonstrated signs of returning memory function.
Ironically, studies in the last 30 years have probvided clinical evidence that ginkgo biloba shows promise not only in the reduction of Alzheimer's symptoms, but also with improved circulation, alleviation of memory problems, strokes, cataracts and much more.
The largest ginkgo biloba tree plantation in the world is in South Carolina. Approximately 12 million ginkgo trees are grown and harvested there for medicinal purposes.
The ginkgo biloba which lives so well here in Redlands, is a tree that has had and continues to have a significant impact on our human history, society and civilization.
The Tree of the Month is an award-winning program that introduces the community to some of the more than 65,000 trees that call Redlands home. Sponsored by the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society, members of the City Street Committee and the Redlands Daily Facts, the program features a different tree each month.
The ginkgo tree or maidenhair tree is the sole survivor of the ginkgolaceae family whose fossil records date back more than 250 million years to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. A deciduous conifer (despite its almost fern-like leaves), the ginkgo is the link between the ferns and flowering plants as well as ferns and conifers. Called a 'living fossil' by Darwin in his 'Origin of Species' of 1859, this tree may be the oldest living seed plant to survive on earth and is considered by some as one of the 'Wonders of the World.'
Ginkgo trees were once widespread in Asia, Europe and North America, but were mostly destroyed during the Ice
Tree hint of the month
Trees can have a positive impact on the greenhouse effect and may even slow global warming. Trees soak up carbon dioxide and give off the oxygen that we breath.
Studies have shown that in order to counter the greenhouse emissions of each car, we should plant 17 trees. We are in luck. Fall is our "second planting season" here in Redlands and it is one of the best times to plant trees.
Age, surviving only in certain regions of Eastern China. Scientists thought that ginkgos were extinct but ancient specimens grown in China by Buddhist monks were introduced to Japan in the late 1100s. These ginkgos were rediscovered by Europeans in 1691 in Japan. Seeds were taken to Holland and by the mid 1700s, this tree had once again spread across Europe. In 1784, ginkgos were reintroduced to the United States. In the late 1800s, it became a popular street tree in urban areas on the east coast.
Today, the ginkgo is a sacred tree in both China and Japan. It grows in many countries worldwide and it is found in almost every city in the United States.
The ginkgo is a graceful shade tree with a symmetrical upright branching habit, which will grow to a height of 25 to 50 feet with a 25- to 35-foot spread. It grows at a slow to medium rate in either full sun or partial shade. This tree is at home in most soils and is drought tolerant, one established. Young trees can be pruned in early spring, but mature specimens rarely require pruning.
The tree is also known for its peculiar fan-shaped, leathery smooth leaves, that look almost like duck feet. They are unique from any other tree. The ginkgo tree acquired its common name maidenhair tree because its leaves resemble those of the maidenhair fern.
These bi-lobed leaves are bright green during the spring and summer and then suddenly turn brilliant gold in the fall. Bonsai enthusiasts find that the unusual leaf structure of the ginkgo makes a beautiful specimen.
The ginkgo makes a superb tree provided you have the male non-fruiting variety. The small yellow fruit of the female tree can create a litter problem and it has a strong rancid odor. Some cities allow planting only of male ginkgo trees and many landscapers also recommend only the male tree.
Ginkgos have survived over millions of years because of their genetic tenacity. They are long-living trees some as long as 3,000 years. They are resistant to insects, diseases, pests and fires. They survived the dinosaurs and are even extremely tolerant of air pollution. They are fine ornamental trees that can do well even in harsh city conditions.
Since ancient times, the ginkgo tree has been used for many purposes. Ginkgo nuts have long been regarded as a delicious food by Japanese people, and these have been cooked and served in various ways. The nuts are used in ceremonies, eaten at banquets and are given away at Chinese weddings, as they are thought to bring good luck. Seeds are used in soups, stews and custards.
The delicate fan-shaped leaves are found in art, jewelry, clothing, crests and symbols. But the most significant worldwide interest in the ginkgo tree today stems from its increasing potential medical values. The ginkgo tree seems to prevent and benefit many problems throughout the entire body. The nuts, leaves and even roots provide valuable medical materials throughout the world.
The earliest Chinese record of the use of the leaves as a medicine dates back to about 2800 B.C. It seems some members of the royal court were becoming a bit senile as they aged. The legend states that the emporer looked out his window and was instructed by a "voice" to use the ginkgo tree to restore the minds of his relatives and friends.
Servants were instructed to make a tea from the tree and served it to the afflicted, who demonstrated signs of returning memory function.
Ironically, studies in the last 30 years have probvided clinical evidence that ginkgo biloba shows promise not only in the reduction of Alzheimer's symptoms, but also with improved circulation, alleviation of memory problems, strokes, cataracts and much more.
The largest ginkgo biloba tree plantation in the world is in South Carolina. Approximately 12 million ginkgo trees are grown and harvested there for medicinal purposes.
The ginkgo biloba which lives so well here in Redlands, is a tree that has had and continues to have a significant impact on our human history, society and civilization.
The Tree of the Month is an award-winning program that introduces the community to some of the more than 65,000 trees that call Redlands home. Sponsored by the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society, members of the City Street Committee and the Redlands Daily Facts, the program features a different tree each month.
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posted by Davor Novakovic @ Tuesday, November 29, 2005
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