How to Grow a Ginkgo Sapling

Plant ginkgo saplings to add beauty to your landscape.

The ginkgo biloba or maidenhair tree is deciduous, belonging to the family Ginkgoaceae. Ginkgo trees originate in China and feature fan-shaped leaves used in medicinal teas to treat headaches, depression and aid in mental concentration. The female ginkgo tree produces seeds with a pulp outer-coating that can irritate the skin and cause nausea and diarrhea if ingested. Growing young ginkgo saplings is an easy way to add this interesting, long-living tree to your outdoor landscape.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Bucket
• Coarse sand
• Organic compost
• Garden hoe
• Garden hose
• Bark mulch

Instructions

1. Find a partial to full sun location outdoors to plant your ginkgo sapling. Some varieties of ginkgo trees can reach heights of up to 65 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Ensure your planting location has adequate room for the growing sapling.

2. Purchase a healthy ginkgo tree sapling from a reputable nursery or ginkgo distributor. Many online nurseries offer the buyer the option of purchasing a 1-, 2- or 3-year-old ginkgo sapling.

3. Dig a planting hole for the ginkgo sapling with a shovel that is two to three times as wide as the nursery container or ginkgo sapling's root ball. Make the planting hole at least 2 inches deeper than the height of the ginkgo's root ball. Take the removed soil and place into a bucket.

4. Add a 2-inch layer of equal parts coarse sand and organic compost available at most garden centers and nurseries. Mix the compost mixture into the existing soil with a garden hoe.

5. Set the ginkgo sapling container on a flat surface. Use your hands to squeeze the sides of the container gently to loosen the root ball from its container. Lay the ginkgo sapling on its side and work the nursery container off the root ball with your hands.

6. Mix enough of the compost and sand mixture in the bucket of soil so there is an equal ratio.

7. Place the ginkgo sapling into the planting hole and backfill with the mixed bucket soil to cover the root ball so it sits 1 inch below the soil line.

8. Water the soil thoroughly with a garden hose to achieve an evenly moist soil texture without being soaked and saturated. Continue to give the ginkgo sapling regular waterings one to two times per week, maintaining a moist soil.

9. Spread a 4-inch layer of bark mulch 2 inches away from the stem of the ginkgo tree sapling. The bark mulch will aid in weed prevention and soil water retention.

Tips & Warnings

• The pulp surrounding the ginkgo seed produced by female trees can harm the skin and cause illness if consumed. Always wear rubber gloves when handling ginkgo seeds.

References

• North Carolina State University: Poisonous Plants: Ginkgo Biloba
• Big Plant Nursery: Guide to Growing Your Ginkgo Biloba