Growing up I remember hearing my mom talk about a Ginko tree with my grandmother and Aunt Judy. I thought it had an interesting name and pretty leaves, but I didn't pay much attention to the conversation.
It turns out it a Ginko tree can live up to 1,000 years or more. Scientists think it's been around since the dinosaurs.
Have you seen Ginko Bilboa in the vitamin aisle? It is extracted from the leaves and is a supplement believed to improve memory and blood flow. (It can interfere with some prescription drugs, so don't take it without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. )
The leaves have a unique shape, and the Ginko is a single species with no known living relatives. In the fall they turn a pretty shade of yellow.
The seed of the female tree stinks, but the male tree does not smell bad. So if you decide to buy one of these tree from a nursery, make sure it's a male. My research revealed you can find Ginko trees in New York City, and the city made sure to buy male trees.
I'd love to hear if you've seen a Ginko tree before.
The oldest trees I've been around are the olive trees in Israel and the redwoods of California. I don't know that I've ever seen a ginko. And I didn't know trees came in genders. Do all trees?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about all trees, but I think blueberry bushes come in genders.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the redwoods in California, and they are amazing. But I've never seen an olive tree.
Yes, we have a gingko tree on the street in Cynthiana. It is one I always remembered from sophomore biology because of the unique shape of the leaf, but I didn't know about the smell, so it must be a male one!
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