Ginkgo Trees

Last updated 2026-10-10 — Dandong has a long history of cultivating ginkgo trees, with nearly a thousand trees over 80 years old and 4,000 trees over 30 years old. The "King of Ginkgos" in front of Shengshui Palace in Gushan Town, Donggang City, is renowned nationwide. These two female "Kings of Ginkgos," planted during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, are over 1,300 years old. Standing 35 meters tall, their massive trunks require three adults with outstretched arms to encircle them. In summer, standing beneath the trees, one can't see the sky during the day or the stars at night. When their leaves fall in autumn, they pile up to a foot thick on the ground, and the trees produce several hundred kilograms of fruit each year. In 1984, the ginkgo tree was designated as Dandong’s “city tree.” Currently, six streets in the urban area have been landscaped with ginkgo trees, featuring over 1,600 trees. Including those in parks and suburban areas, there are a total of more than 4,000 ginkgo trees—a rare sight in China. The ginkgo tree is a treasure in its entirety. Its fruit, known as ginkgo nuts, can treat liver diseases and bronchitis (though overconsumption may lead to poisoning). The nut kernels are rich in starch, protein, fat, carbohydrates, various amino acids, as well as ginkgolic acid, ginkgol, and anti-aging compounds. Consumed in moderation, it can help relieve intoxication, while stewed and taken can reduce urinary frequency and diarrhea, offering nourishing and health benefits. Flavonoids extracted from ginkgo leaves are used to treat hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. The roots contain bilobalide, which treats gynecological conditions, and can also be used as fertilizer for paddy fields and as an insecticide. Ginkgo wood is premium material for decoration. Ginkgo holds high economic value. Its fruit, ginkgo nuts, is exported to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and the United States, priced at 50 yuan per jin, with strong demand. Ginkgo is a rare and highly productive tree species with a long lifespan—its fruiting period can last over 800 years, earning it the title of “king of trees.” Growing naturally, it typically bears fruit after 25–30 years, but with artificial grafting, it can start fruiting 15–20 years earlier. Ginkgo trees produce high yields. When cultivated using the "dwarf, dense, early" method, with 110 trees per mu, fruiting begins in the fifth year, yielding 1.5 kilograms per tree worth 30 yuan, resulting in 3,000 yuan income per mu. This yield doubles annually, reaching an average of 10,000–20,000 yuan per mu after eight years. Dandong is developing ginkgo as a high-efficiency forestry crop, with 238 mu dedicated to ginkgo seedling cultivation. (Dandong)