MY STINKY GINGKO TREE

THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO PLANT ONE, WRITES LIZ CHAPPLE

Many years ago in the fall, I saw a tree with amazing yellow foliage and gorgeous fan shaped leaves and just had to have one. After a little research I found out that the Gingko Biloba is one of the oldest tree species, dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, more than 200 million years ago. This information made me more determined than ever to get one. I read all the horticultural information, that it's a large, easy to grow tree with few pest problems. It originated in China but in those days I was rather ignorant of the value of planting natives. I didn't want a spindly tree so contacted a landscaper to source something larger and have it planted.

My tree was planted near a walkway in front of the house and grew beautifully. One thing I forgot to mention, when I was researching the Gingko I read that it was very important to plant a male tree because female trees produce obnoxiously smelly fruit. The landscaper assured me that my tree was a male.

Fast forward 10-12 years and a few round, green things the size of a plum appeared under the tree. Back to the research which confirmed that they were the dreaded Gingko fruits. Apparently male trees sometimes decide they'd prefer to be non binary and there's nothing to be done. The tree was lovely so we let it be but year after year he/she produced more and more fruit. The smell was indescribable. Finally a few years ago, after shovelling a garbage bag full of fruit several times, my husband hired a company to chop my beautiful tree down. I was heartbroken.

Think twice before you decide to plant a Gingko.

The next meeting of the Stoney Creek Garden Club will be held Oct. 3 at the Stoney Creek United Church, 1 King St. W., at 7 p.m. Lizzie Matheson, a very talented and entertaining presenter, will be our special guest. She will demonstrate how to create gorgeous fall arrangements and you might get to take one home. Contact us at: stoneycreekgardenclub@outlook.com.

Liz Chapple is past president of the Stoney Creek Garden Club.