Ba Mountain Ginkgo

Ba Mountain Ginkgo

　　Ba Mountain Ginkgo is a famous specialty of Bazhong City in Sichuan Province. It is one of the oldest surviving species of gymnosperms in the world, an exceptionally high-quality economic tree species, capable of living for thousands of years and known as a “living fossil.” Originally native to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, ginkgo has been introduced to various regions over a long history. It is commonly used in Sichuan cuisine.

　　Ba Mountain Ginkgo earned its name as the best ginkgo-growing region in Sichuan due to its unique geographical features. The Daba Mountain Range lies south of the Qinling Mountains, stretching across the northern and northeastern edges of the Sichuan Basin, including areas such as Nanjiang, Tongjiang, Zhenba, Wanyuan, and Chengkou. The highest peak in the region is Guangwu Mountain, located north of Nanjiang. BYG

　　Ginkgo is also known as the white fruit tree or grandfather-grandson tree. It belongs to the gymnosperms. Ginkgo is a dioecious plant, flowering in April and maturing its seeds in October. Ginkgo is a treasure in many ways, serving culinary, medicinal, timber, landscaping, and ornamental purposes. It holds significant economic value as well as ecological and cultural importance. BYG

　　South of the Daba Mountains lies China’s renowned refuge for Tertiary-period plants. The surviving ancient ginkgo species mainly grow in areas south of the Daba Mountains, including Nanjiang, Tongjiang, Zhenba, Wanyuan, and Chengkou. Tongjiang County, in particular, boasts abundant ginkgo resources, premium varieties, and superior quality, making the name “Ba Mountain Ginkgo” well-deserved. BYG

　　“Ba Mountain Ginkgo” is one of the oldest surviving species of gymnosperms in the world, an exceptionally high-quality economic tree species, capable of living for thousands of years and known as a “living fossil.” Originally native to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it has been introduced to various regions over a long history. BYG

　　“Ba Mountain Ginkgo” adapts well to soil and climate conditions. It can grow up to 40 meters tall with a trunk diameter of up to 5 meters. Typically, seed-grown trees begin to bear fruit after about 20 years and reach full production after 40 years. Trees grafted onto large rootstocks can bear fruit within 2–3 years. Ginkgo is a light-loving, sun-oriented species with a deep root system, drought tolerance, and resistance to air pollution. However, it does not tolerate waterlogging or shade and has poor wind resistance. BYG

　　Ginkgo seeds, commonly known as “white fruit,” are highly nutritious and have both culinary and medicinal uses. The people of Tongjiang have a long history of using white fruit for dietary therapy, creating dishes such as ginkgo cough relief soup, white fruit and tremella porridge, and white fruit Laba porridge. Traditional Chinese medicine classics such as “Daily Use Materia Medica,” “Compendium of Materia Medica,” and “Essentials of Medical Collections” also list white fruit as an important medicinal ingredient. Modern research shows that white fruit and its derivatives have significant effects in treating hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, tooth decay, pediatric diarrhea, acne and boils, chronic gonorrhea, spermatorrhea, and enuresis. Ginkgo leaf extract contains over 160 components, mainly flavonoid glycosides and ginkgolides, including 44 types of flavonoids. Ginkgo leaf extract can also be developed into nutritional oral liquids, health supplements, and cosmetics. Its pollen and outer seed coat are also valuable raw materials for pharmaceuticals. BYG

　　“Ba Mountain Ginkgo” is highly adaptable, fast-growing, and productive. It provides ample high-quality timber, leaves, and fruits, while also contributing to environmental greening, air purification, soil and water conservation, pest control, temperature regulation, and psychological well-being. It is an excellent species for afforestation, landscaping, and ornamental planting. With its tall and majestic canopy, Ba Mountain Ginkgo has been widely planted in cities around the world as a tree for courtyards, streets, and gardens. Many experts advocate for ginkgo to be designated as the “national tree.” Ancient ginkgo trees such as the one in Dinglin Temple on Floating Mountain in Ju County, Shandong, planted during the Shang Dynasty, the paired ginkgo trees on Mandarin Duck Hill dating back to the late Song Dynasty, and the ginkgo tree at Jingju Temple favored by the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo, are now all regarded as “national treasures.” BYG