Exotic
CategoryGinkgo Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Ginkgo Tree
Trees and Plants > Shade and Ornamental Trees > Exotic > Ginkgo Tree
The Ginkgo tree is used extensively as a landscape tree due to its picturesque, unusually shaped crown and autumn coloured foliage. The trees become large making them ideal shade trees. The trees can take around 20-30 years to bear nuts, however grafted trees may bear in as little as 8 years. The sweet nuts taste like a large pine nut, a cross between potatoes and sweet chestnuts when baked or boiled. The outer coat of the fresh seeds contain oils that may cause mild dermatitis in some humans, so when picking them up wear latex gloves. The seeds are usually steamed until the hard shell cracks open, then the kernel removed and eaten like pistacho nuts, or used in pilaf, porridges, soups, vegetable dishes or mixed with rice, tofu, mushrooms and stir-fried vegetables. When planting in the ground, it is recommended to break up the root ball and free the hair from the roots. It is also necessary to make a large hole of random shape (especially not cylindrical) and loosen the soil around the foot as much as possible. Without these precautions, it will take longer for your Ginkgo to realize that it is no longer in its pot and start its normal growth. The roots must be allowed to extend their course naturally. It is very often observed that a freshly planted Ginkgo can take several years before it starts to grow. Following these last tips should reduce that lethargy time