Garden

[GoneButNotForgotten]

About 3 years ago I planted a gingko tree; I love trees and if I believed in reincarnation, I'd wonder if I were a Druid in a previous life.

Anyway, what's got me really baffled is that in all this time, it hasn't gotten any bigger. I wondered if it were sick or dead but every spring it leafs out beautifully. I should also add I have another ginko, which is truly my Pride and Joy, and it gets bigger every year.

I've been wrackig my brain and the only thing I can think of, could it be root bound? Would root pruning it be worth a try?

[PINKdogWOOD]

Ah Ginkos - I LOVE the Ginkos! @GoneButNotForgotten  We really need a Ginko but little left in our jam packed garden. I would not be of help but I'll check with my hort husband tonight.

Wondering if you have a decent nursery in your area to pose your concerns with them. I'd start here. Maybe google ginkos, or look for reputable 'tree' specialists and email them.

[GoneButNotForgotten]

wow, I thought I was the only person in the Western Hemisphere that loves Gingkos! Did you know that for a long time they were thought to be extinct until -- maybe 100-200 years ago -- they were found growing in a grove in China.

Speaing of China, did you know that all the flowers on earth originate from China? Just an interesting little factoid I thought I'd throw in 

I'll wait for your husband's input with eager anticipation.

"Go out and get dirty"

[tends2dogs]

I love ginkgos, too.  There is a huge tree outside the library in my home town.  I also have a sterling RLM ginkgo leaf pendant that I bought from the Q years ago.......back when Robert did his jewelry for the Q in silver.  

[Bhvbum]

I remember my father first pointing out a Ginko to me and saying it was able to withstand terrible pollution and that is why so many big cities planted them.  Only trouble we had a huge old Ginko that produced the smelly fruit (not sure the male or female) but it was a clean-up hassle.  

Why don't you google your question?

[gardenman]

Ginkgo trees are very slow growing the first couple of years after planting as they establish their root system and get settled, then they grow at a moderate rate later in life. Your tree is behaving perfectly.

[GoneButNotForgotten]

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@Bhvbum wrote:

I remember my father first pointing out a Ginko to me and saying it was able to withstand terrible pollution and that is why so many big cities planted them.  Only trouble we had a huge old Ginko that produced the smelly fruit (not sure the male or female) but it was a clean-up hassle.  

Why don't you google your question?

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Ha! you had a female tree...and the reason I laugh is that I have one neighbor I really dislike (and they don't do good neighborly things) so I've tried to find female gingkos so I could plant it close to the fence and my troublesome neighbors could get a waft. However, I checked around and I don't think they sell female gingkos to the public anymore...and maybe that's for the best 

[JustJazzmom]

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@Bhvbum wrote:

I remember my father first pointing out a Ginko to me and saying it was able to withstand terrible pollution and that is why so many big cities planted them.  Only trouble we had a huge old Ginko that produced the smelly fruit (not sure the male or female) but it was a clean-up hassle.  

Why don't you google your question?

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Only the female produces the fruit. Most of the ginkos sold now are male clones.

[JustJazzmom]

@GoneButNotForgotten  I do not recommend root pruning. What Gardenman said; but if really concerned, I would examine the roots by digging it up & making sure all roots are pointed away from the trunk. If it was a containerized tree originally, it might have had the roots encircle the trunk which could impede growth by causing girdling.

A balled & burlapped tree would have had it's roots cut originally when dug out of the ground.

Examine the root system & see if that could be the problem, especially if you are treating them the same. 

[gardenman]

Just be forewarned that if it's not girdled and the roots are fine, digging it up to examine the roots will likely reset it and you'll be looking at another two to three years before it starts to grow again. 

Plants tend to be a bit finicky. Many perennials need a year or two in the ground before they show much growth. Some trees take even longer. The roots on a plant that do the most work tend to be the really fine, hair-like roots. They're also the roots that are most vulnerable to over or underwatering when in containers due to their small size. Trees really want a good network of those fine feeder roots before they'll grow. Two to three years to establish a root system isn't all that atypical for a tree.