Ginkgo biloba Quarter Standard - Maidenhair Ornamental Tree
Ginkgo biloba Quarter Standard - Maidenhair Ornamental Tree
Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) — Quarter Standard
A stunning ornamental tree with distinctive fan-shaped leaves and exceptional autumn colour. This ancient 'living fossil' species brings unique character and year-round interest to UK gardens.
Key Features
- Distinctive fan-shaped leaves: unique apple-green foliage with characteristic splits
- Spectacular autumn colour: leaves turn brilliant clear yellow in autumn
- Ancient species: one of the oldest living tree species, unchanged for millions of years
- Quarter standard form: pre-trained with clear stem for immediate impact
- Hardy & adaptable: tolerates pollution, pests, and urban conditions
Size & Growth
As a species the maidenhair tree can ultimately reach 20–30 metres, but in gardens it is easily pruned to maintain a smaller size, and this quarter standard form is intended as a manageable ornamental specimen. Spread around 8–12 metres if left untrimmed. Growth rate slow to moderate.
Position & Soil
Full sun to partial shade, in any well-drained soil. Fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Urban pollution tolerance is exceptional, making it one of the best specimen trees for town and city gardens.
Planting & Care
Plant in autumn or spring in well-drained soil, in full sun for the best autumn colour. Stake securely to support the quarter standard form and water regularly during the first growing season to establish the roots. Maintenance is minimal: remove any dead or damaged branches in late winter, keep the clear stem clean by removing any shoots that appear on the trunk, and feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring. Very low maintenance once established.
Perfect For
- Specimen planting as a focal point
- Urban and courtyard gardens — pollution tolerant
- Adding autumn colour and seasonal interest
- Contemporary and oriental garden designs
- Low-maintenance gardens
- Wildlife gardens — supports beneficial insects
Why Choose the Maidenhair Tree?
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most distinctive and resilient trees available. Its unique fan-shaped leaves and brilliant autumn colour make it a standout specimen, while its ancient lineage adds historical interest. Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of pollution, pests, and diseases, this is a tree that thrives with minimal care. The quarter standard form provides instant structure and maturity to your garden.
Note: This is a male cultivar, so it will not produce the unpleasantly scented fruits that female Ginkgo trees are known for.
Available at Stoneybrook Nursery, Lancashire — premium ornamental trees for UK gardens.
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Planting Instructions
Plant Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree) in autumn or spring in any well-drained soil, in full sun for the best autumn colour. It tolerates partial shade, most soil types, and urban pollution exceptionally well.
As this is a quarter standard, drive a sturdy stake into the planting hole before planting, keeping it clear of the root ball. Position the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, backfill with garden soil, firm in gently, and tie the stem to the stake with an adjustable tree tie, checking it each season.
Water regularly through the first growing season to establish the roots, then only in prolonged drought. Apply a mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base each spring, keeping it clear of the stem, and feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring.
Maintenance is minimal: remove dead or damaged branches in late winter, and keep the clear stem clean by removing any shoots that appear on the trunk. No regular pruning is needed once the head is established.
Size & Specification
Supplied as a pre-trained quarter standard ornamental tree: a clear stem carrying a young head of the distinctive fan-shaped foliage, giving instant structure on planting.
The maidenhair tree is slow to moderate growing and easily kept as a compact garden specimen: in gardens it is typically maintained well below the species' eventual 20–30 metres, and this quarter standard form is intended as a manageable ornamental tree for borders, courtyards, and lawns. Fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7).
Delivery & Dispatch
Supplied in its pot, carefully secured and packaged by hand so it arrives in excellent condition, ready to plant. Orders are dispatched within 3–5 working days of receipt, and you will receive a notification once your order is on its way.
Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, islands, and other remote postcodes may take slightly longer — please contact us before ordering if you are unsure. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition, please contact us within 48 hours with photographs and we will put it right.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Ginkgo is a true living fossil, essentially unchanged for over 200 million years, and its unusual fan-shaped leaves are a botanical curiosity that supports beneficial insects in the garden. Its tolerance of pollution makes it especially valuable as a green asset in urban environments.
This is a male cultivar, so it produces no fruit, meaning no mess and no scent, and its sturdy branch framework provides shelter and perching for garden birds year-round.