Ginkgo is one of the toughest trees you can plant. UF/IFAS Extension describes it as practically pest-free and free of serious pests and diseases, and The Morton Arboretum calls it hardy and pest-resistant. So when a ginkgo looks unhappy, the cause is usually its site, the weather or simply its natural habits rather than a pest.
The short answer: the most common ginkgo problems are (1) leaf scorch from heat and drought; (2) bacterial leaf scorch, a less common but serious disease that Clemson says can kill the tree; (3) messy, foul-smelling seeds from female trees; (4) very slow growth for several years after planting; (5) root trouble in wet, poorly drained soil; (6) an open, irregular shape when young; and (7) a short fall color show. Insects and fungal diseases are rarely a concern.
Quick symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Brown, crispy leaf edges in summer | Leaf scorch from heat and drought, or bacterial leaf scorch |
| Scorch that returns and worsens each year, with dieback | Possible bacterial leaf scorch; get a lab test |
| Smelly, squashy fruit-like seeds in fall | Female tree |
| Little growth for years after planting | Normal establishment period |
| Yellowing, thin canopy on a soggy site | Poor drainage |
| Lopsided or sparse young crown | Natural growth habit |
| Leaves turn gold and all drop within days | Normal ginkgo leaf fall |
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1. Leaf scorch from heat and drought
Ginkgo is drought-tolerant once established, according to Clemson Extension, and NC State Extension lists it as tolerant of drought, heat and air pollution. Even so, Clemson notes that street trees can scorch under high heat and drought stress. Leaf edges turn brown and crisp, usually in mid to late summer. Newly planted trees, trees in small sidewalk pits and trees surrounded by pavement are most at risk.
What to do. Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first few years. Spread mulch over the root zone, kept away from the trunk. UF also recommends keeping turf several feet away from the trunk while the tree establishes.
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2. Bacterial leaf scorch
This is the one serious disease to know about. Clemson says bacterial leaf scorch, caused by Xylella fastidiosa, infects ginkgo, causes decline and may eventually kill the tree. Leafhoppers and treehoppers spread it.
The difficulty is that its symptoms look like ordinary drought scorch. Clemson says a sample must go to a plant diagnostic lab for a firm answer. Suspect it if scorch shows up every year regardless of rainfall, gets worse over time, or comes with branch dieback.
What to do. Contact your local extension office or plant diagnostic clinic to test a sample before deciding on treatment or removal.
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3. Smelly fruit from female trees
Ginkgo trees are either male or female. Female trees drop seeds with a soft, fleshy covering in fall. Morton says it can be messy and has a potent odor, and UF describes the smell as pungent and offensive to some. Clemson adds that the pulp contains ginkgolic acid, which can irritate skin. NC State also notes ginkgo may cause contact dermatitis.
You often cannot tell a tree’s sex for many years. Clemson says a seed-grown ginkgo takes 20 to 30 years to reach reproductive maturity. UF says it could take 20 years or more for a tree to fruit, and there is no reliable way to pick a male seedling before then.
What to do. When planting, buy a named male cultivar. UF lists ‘Autumn Gold’, ‘Fairmont’, ‘Lakeview’ and ‘Princeton Sentry’ among the male, fruitless choices. If you already have a female tree, rake up the seeds promptly in fall and wear gloves when handling them.
4. Very slow growth after planting
New owners often think their ginkgo is failing because it barely grows. UF explains that ginkgo may grow extremely slowly for several years after planting, then pick up to a moderate rate, especially with adequate water and some fertilizer. UF lists its overall growth rate as slow.
What to do. Be patient, water during dry periods and avoid digging or disturbing the root zone. If the leaves are healthy and green, slow growth is normal.
5. Wet, poorly drained soil
Ginkgo tolerates many soil types. UF says it handles compacted and alkaline soils, and NC State says it tolerates a range of textures and pH. Drainage is the exception. NC State advises a site with full sun and good drainage and says to avoid wet soils. Clemson recommends avoiding poorly drained or waterlogged sites, and UF warns against overwatering or planting in a poorly drained area.
What to do. If the soil stays soggy, cut back watering and improve drainage where possible. For a new tree, choose a well-drained spot. Our guide on planting a ginkgo tree covers site choice and planting depth.
6. An open, irregular shape
Young ginkgos often look gangly. UF says young trees are often very open but fill in to form a denser canopy, and the shape is often irregular, sometimes with a large branch that looks like its own tree on the trunk. That is normal and is not a sign of poor health.
What to do. UF says some early pruning to form one central leader is essential. Clemson also recommends regular structural pruning on young trees to build a strong central leader with well-attached side branches. For narrow spaces, choose a columnar cultivar such as ‘Princeton Sentry’ or ‘Fairmont’, as UF suggests.
7. A short fall color show
Ginkgo’s golden fall color is famous. UF calls it “second to none in brilliance,” but also notes that the leaves fall quickly, so the show is short. Clemson describes the leaves dropping almost all at once to form a golden carpet. A ginkgo that drops every leaf in a few days in autumn is behaving normally.
Problems ginkgo usually does not have
UF rates ginkgo as resistant to Verticillium wilt, resistant to storm breakage and with roots that are not a problem. It also tolerates ozone. That reliability is why ginkgo is a common street tree.
When to call an arborist
Get professional help if you see dieback of whole branches, scorch that worsens year after year, cracks or decay in the trunk, or a tree leaning more over time. These are not normal ginkgo traits, and a diagnosis is worth getting before the tree declines further.
Sources
- Ginkgo (Maidenhair Tree) Care & Growing Guide, Clemson Cooperative Extension
- Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo (ENH432/ST273), UF/IFAS Extension
- Ginkgo, The Morton Arboretum
- Ginkgo biloba, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Top photo: LudwigSebastianMicheler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons