The President Ginkgo

The President Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba 'The President')

The President Ginkgo, also known as Presidential Gold ginkgo, is a male, pollution tolerant shade tree with a strong central leader, a full branching crown when young, and fan shaped leaves that turn brilliant golden yellow in fall. Its durable, upright form and drought resistance make a dependable focal point for streetscapes, campuses, and large lawns.

Distinctive Features

Fruitless male clone selected by Dr. Michael Dirr for structure and performance; clean foliage, stout trunk, and uniform architecture develop into a broad, high canopy at maturity.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best canopy density and fall color.
• Soil: Adaptable to most well drained soils; tolerates acidic to alkaline conditions.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment, then deep soak during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 50 ft tall and 40 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Strong leader and bold fan leaves create an architectural specimen.
• Shade Tree: Broad crown cools patios, play areas, and open greens.
• Street Tree: Handles heat, compacted soils, and urban pollution.
• Allees and Drives: Repeats cleanly in rows to frame entries and walks.
• Parks and Campuses: Long lived canopy for large, open spaces.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water weekly the first 2 to 3 years; transition to occasional deep watering in drought.
• Pruning: Train early for clearance and structure; prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing wood.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring only if soil tests indicate deficiency.
• Mulching: Maintain a 2 to 3 inch mulch ring to conserve moisture and protect roots, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Notes: Select male stock to avoid fruit; allow room for mature spread and avoid chronically wet sites.

Why Choose The President Ginkgo?

• Fruitless Male: Clean performance without messy fruit.
• Iconic Fall Color: Reliable, vivid golden foliage each autumn.
• Urban Toughness: Exceptional tolerance of heat, pollution, and varied soils.
• Strong Structure: Central leader and uniform branching for lasting form.
• Long Lived: Durable shade tree with minimal pest issues.

Plant in full sun with good drainage, water steadily during establishment, and shape early for a long lived, well structured canopy tree.