I’ve never been much of a ginkgo fan. I know that sounds a little strange for a nursery owner, but seven years of work with plants have taught me to tell the difference between a beautiful tree and one I’d actually want in my own yard.
Ginkgo looks fantastic in October, especially when its entire canopy turns golden. I admit that even I stop to admire it. Then I remember how many leaves can end up on the ground in just a few hours.
A ginkgo tree can lose almost all its leaves in a single day, usually after the first hard frost of fall.
A special layer of cells forms where the leaf stalk meets the branch, which allows the leaf to detach. Once the temperature drops far enough, much of the canopy can lose its leaves almost at the same time.
If you have a tree full of yellow leaves in the evening and wake up to bare branches the next morning, you’ve probably just witnessed one of the most unusual fall events among deciduous trees.
Why Does Ginkgo Lose Its Leaves So Quickly?
Most deciduous species lose their leaves gradually over several weeks, so it’s easy to follow the changes in their canopies. With ginkgo, the process often ends much faster, and the explanation lies in a natural process botanists call abscission.
During fall, the tree develops a specialized layer of cells between the leaf stalk and the branch. That layer allows the leaf to detach and protects the tissue left exposed after the leaf falls.
Professor Serita Frey of the University of New Hampshire explains how the separation process in ginkgo can happen very quickly. Frost often provides the final push, but the tree has already gone through important physiological changes.
A Hard Frost Usually Determines When the Leaves Will Fall
A hard frost is usually associated with temperatures around 25°F (−4°C) or lower. However, previous weather conditions and how well the tree has prepared for winter also play important roles.
An interesting example comes from the University of New Hampshire, where students have recorded the date when a ginkgo tree outside James Hall loses its leaves since the 1970s.
Researchers associate that shift with warmer falls and later occurrences of hard frosts. Purdue, for example, documented trees in 2021 that kept their leaves despite a cold night because the separation process had not progressed far enough.
When Is Sudden Leaf Drop a Problem?
I’d take a different approach if the leaves started to fall in large numbers during the middle of summer, especially if I noticed branches that had begun to dry out. Prolonged drought can cause premature leaf drop, so it’s important to check the soil condition and look for other symptoms.
For a basic assessment of branch health, you can use the methods I described in my guide on how to tell if a tree is dead. For large trees with dead branches above areas where people walk, I’d recommend an inspection by a qualified arborist.
Would I Plant a Ginkgo in My Own Yard?
Seven years of work at our family nursery have taught me that my personal preferences don’t necessarily match those of every customer, and ginkgo certainly has its advantages. For a spacious property with plenty of sunlight, it can be an excellent choice.
I still prefer trees whose fall colors last a little longer and whose maintenance requirements better suit my habits. I can appreciate ginkgo for its resilience and even enjoy the unusual sight of a tree that loses thousands of golden leaves in just a few hours.
I’d just rather watch it happen in somebody else’s yard. Especially if someone has to rake up all those leaves the next morning.
Clarify hard frost versus first frostAdd practical cleanup advice after leaf drop.
