Golden Ginkgo Grove

Photographers: Lynne Downer; Rose SmithSummary Author: Jim Foster

Featured above is a grove of golden ginkgo trees at the Blandy Experimental Farm in northern Virginia. These photos were taken when the grove was near its peak autumn color, on November 3, 2024. Over 80 years ago, some 300 ginkgo seeds were planted on less than 5 acres of land by the farm's first director, Dr. Orland White, to determine what proportion of collected seeds would develop into male and female trees. It turned out that of the seeds planted, 157 were female and 144 were male. Ginkgoes don't reach sexual maturity until they're approximately 20 years old.

The fan-shaped leaves of ginkgo trees (foreground in bottom photo) are unique among seed plants. Of note, their fossilized leaves have been found on every continent.

Blandy Experimental Farm, Virginia Coordinates: 39.06000, -78.06472

Related Links:Ginkgo Tree in Frederick, MarylandThe History of the Ginkgo Tree