Ginkgo

Ginkgo leavesGinkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Tree near sidewalk, Dunn Hall side of north entrance to Dunn-Corbett Courtyard

Map and directions

  • Also known as maidenhair tree because its distinctive leaf formation resembles some species of maidenhair fern.
  • Native to China, brought to North America in late 1700s, ornamental in Maine.
  • Only surviving member of a group of ancient plants thought to be in existence up to 150 million years ago, with oldest individual tree about 3,500 years old.
  • Ginkgo leaf fossils dating from tens of millions of years ago have been found in a number of places including Almont, North Dakota.