Autumn Gold Ginkgo Tree

Autumn Gold is a male ginkgo selection valued for its regular upright crown and even golden-yellow fall color. It is more compact than the species while still growing into a large shade tree; the Arboretum at Penn State reports a mature height of about 40–50 feet. [The Dawes Arboretum](https://dawesarb.arboretumexplorer.org/taxon.aspx?t=22376) describes a broad-conical male tree around 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide and documents hardiness in USDA Zone 4. ## Landscape Use Use this cultivar as a specimen, lawn, or street tree where its mature canopy has room to develop. The fan-shaped leaves emerge green, color in autumn, then drop seasonally. Male trees avoid the fleshy, strongly scented seeds produced by female ginkgo trees, though leaf fall still creates seasonal cleanup. ## Growing Conditions Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Ginkgo adapts to urban conditions and tolerates heat and air pollution, according to [Penn State’s Arboretum](https://arboretum.psu.edu/about/news/fall-foliage-highlight-ginkgo-ginkgo-biloba/). Water young trees during establishment and during prolonged dry weather. ## Maintenance Prune in spring to remove damaged or crossing branches and preserve a sound central structure. Allow the crown to broaden naturally as the tree matures.