Scientific Name
Ginkgo biloba 'Goldspire'
The ginkgo tree, admired around the world, has inspired the selection of many unusual forms that have been propagated as cultivars. Among these is the ‘Goldspire’ specimen, donated to Regis by a nurseryman from Kentucky. This is a very narrow tree that may reach about 15 feet in height here, with a spread of only around six feet. The cultivar originated in France and is considered one of the best of the columnar forms.
Aside from its narrow shape, its features are typical of the species. It has the familiar duck-foot, bifurcated leaves with parallel veins, along with the characteristic growth pattern of main shoots and small clusters of short side shoots. In fall, the foliage turns a clear yellow.
This is a seedless male tree, like most cultivated ginkgos, selected to avoid the mess created by the large, fleshy fruits produced by female trees.