A little something different for Foliage Follow-up this month: We saw this amazing Ginkgo biloba at the annual Olbrich Home Gardens Tour on Saturday. It is a state champion tree and one of the oldest and largest Ginkgoes in the nation. An unforgettable sight and a tribute to a Madison couple who love and value the trees on their property. They have a number of illustrious old trees, all of them healthy and in good shape from the attentions of arborist and tree historian, Bruce Allison.
To check out more interesting foliage, visit Pam at Digging.
Amazing ginkgo is the truth...that is the largest, broadest, healthiest one I've seen. The runner-up was at Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile AL. The look of strength on those huge limbs is almost as striking as a - gasp - oak.
Posted by: Desert Dweller / David C. | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 09:25 AM
This is a beaut. There are Ginko trees planted in a park here in town. There is also one across the street from where I live. All are much smaller than this beauty. What a treasure this gardener has. Happy FF.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 12:26 PM
David and Lisa — We have a lot of fairly old Ginkgoes around here but I had never seen one this size. Didnt even know about it until I took this garden tour.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 12:29 PM
What a stunning tree, and it looks like it would be a good climbing tree too. I see Ginkgos in Austin now and then. Love their leaves.
Posted by: Pam/Digging | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 09:24 PM
I love the shot of the trunk of the tree looking up from below. I know the focus is on the green stuff, but the bark is just lovely!
Posted by: mamaraby | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Pam—It would be a great climbing tree. Usually you see them limbed up.
Mama R—You got to see great bark on a number of trees at this place. So rare to see such big specimens where the bark has really developed into an element in its own right.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 06:17 AM
Ginkgo has to be one of my favorite trees, and the one you are showing looks like a fine specimen, plus it appears to be a girl. Females are not usually planted around here because of the fruit.
Posted by: Les | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 06:21 AM
Les — The city has cut down a number of older female trees that had been planted as street trees around here, so you are right that it is unusual to see one so old. Thats another reason why I so impressed that the homeowners are such good stewards. Many people would want to get rid of a messy tree — champion or not.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 06:28 AM