Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

 

Interesting & key characteristics: 

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Time span: Ginkgo trees and the family of trees have been around for 200 Million years. They were there when Pangea broke into the continents, but now this type of ginkgo tree, the Ginkgo Biloba, is the last living type of Ginkgo tree. It is sometimes referred to as a living fossil.

Leaves: fan-shaped, bright green and yellow in the fall

Height: 50 to 80 feet tall

 

Unique benefits (how it helps our planet):

The Ginkgo tree leaves have been used for medical purposes since ancient times. Now this tree is primarily used for landscaping and can tolerate pollution.

 

Source: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=z990

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

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Megan Clinton, a former Forsyth parent who was a member of the Plant and Land Committee, advocated for getting the Gingko Biloba tree. We asked her why she decided on the Gingko tree. She told us the Gingko tree was a very old tree dating back 270,000,000 years. For a tree to survive that long it must be very resilient. If you see where the Ginkgo trees are planted on Forsyth’s campus, they are right next to the parking lot, where soot, salt, and sometimes hot asphalt create a harsh environment for any tree. Unfortunately, now she regrets this decision because the Ginkgo tree is not native to the US and does not provide a habitat for animals in Missouri like other native species would.