Maidenhair tree - Ginkgo biloba

Kingdom - Plantae.

Division - Ginkgophyta.

Class - Ginkgoopsida.

Order - Ginkgoales.

Family - Ginkgo.

Species - Ginkgo biloba.

The maidenhair tree also well known, due to its herbal links, as Ginkgo biloba, is an ‘old lion’ of Kew Gardens, being a survivor of the original Aarboretum. This tree is largely found in China and has a long lifespan, many reaching ages of some thousands of years, being resistant to both weather and pest damage. In fact it was one of the few living things to survive the explosion of ‘Little Boy’, the atomic bomb that was detonated over Hiroshima on August 9th 1945, and survives to this day.

The maidenhair tree at Kew was planted in 1762. It is a male tree, and is a true Lion. At that time it was uncertain how hardy it was and so it was planted next to the wall of the Great stove glasshouse now long since gone.
It is possibly one of the oldest trees, fossils closely resembling this plant date it back 270m years ago, as trees are recognised these days. The Wollemii pine may go back further (one of these trees can be found opposite The Orangery). It’s longevity is demonstarted by it’s separate male and female plants. Another example of this type of plant is the Monkey Puzzle tree - Araucaria araucana. It has had an extensive range, from the U.K, Greenland, Canada and China.

The Maidenhair tree is so named because of it’s distinctive leaves, which are fan shaped and resemble the maidenhair fern - Adiantum raddianum (an example of which can be found in the Princess of Wales’ Conservatory). The leaves are a vibrant green, turning a vivid yellow in Autumn with a quick loss of leaves.

Apart from its leaves, other features are its height, reaching164’ (50m), it’s longevity and possibly it’s multiple uses in the health trade. Most of it’s health properties are unproven, but have many adherents and believers. It’s main percieved benefit is in memory enhancement, although it is also believed to be good for reducing ageing in the skin and circulation.