Ginkgo tree problem

I recently purchased a potted Golden Globe ginkgo tree at a local nursery. It's about 4' tall, and currently has very nice yellow leaves. The main leader is very straight, however the top 18" or so is totally leafless. A scratch-test at the tip does show green underneath, but there are no buds or potential branches. Below this leafless area, a strong branch is growing, looks very healthy, about 18" long. Lots of leaves. My questions is... should I plant this tree and see what happens for a few years? See if that main leader leafs out and keeps growing? Or should I train this branch in a more verticle position to take over as main leader? I don't want this tree to be lopsided if I leave it alone... or unstable and weak if I try to make a side branch the main trunk. Suggestions welcome. I'd like to plant it within the next 2 days, but if it's going to be 'iffy' in looks or strength, will consider suitable sites away from the house. If anyone would like a pic, I can post one later.
Thanks!
Suze

My ginko tree was about 4 feet tall when I bought it. They seem to grow weird like you describe. Mine always loses its leaves from the top first in the fall and puts them back on at the top last in the spring. They can be quite rangy looking when they are young. I read online that they stay spindly looking for the first several years and then finally begin to fill out. In looking around at other ginkgo in my area, that seems to be true. I also read that they are slow growers but you can speed things up a little by keeping them well watered and fertilize them twice a year (early spring and mid-summer). I've tried to do that with mine and so far it seems to be doing very nicely. The strange shape it started out with has now filled out and the tree looks much nicer. Mine has been planted for 3 years now.

Are these difficult to care for? I've been wanting one but am unsure of the care. I know the female trees leave lots of smelly fruit so I'm looking for a male.

Thanks NatureLover. I think I'll plant it and see if the top gets leaves next yr. If so, it's all good. If not, might be time to do some re-evaluation. I've seen the smaller ones that look a little 'messy'... But all the more mature trees are just beautiful. And it's a proven winner for fall color, even if it's a short show.

kwanjin - They are vitually maintenance free after the first few yrs. They like a good watering if it gets dry, and some fert. like NatureLover said, the first few summers. There are several 'named' ginkgos that are sold only as males. I have two, Golden Globe and Autumn Gold. These varities are always male and have no seed. If you Google 'ginkgo tree' you can find several lists of non-seed ginkgo trees.
Suze

Thanks for the input. I think I have trade going with someone for one of these. I love this place!!!

My youngest step-daughter was killed in a car/train accident about 10 years ago and the college where she was going at the time (MS State) planted a ginkgo tree in her honor. You should see it now! It's gorgeous. They are worth the wait. And you're right Suze, the fall color is outstanding!

I'll bet it's comforting to see that tree and to think of her. I think trees are the best way to commemorate someone.

What a wonderful rememberance, something to last way beyond any of us. :)
I've planted 3 oaks, 2 maples, 2 crabapples and now these 2 ginkgo's in the last 3 years. I'll be waiting a loooong time. LOL But it's so worth it. When I'm sitting in the cedar swing 40yrs from now, sipping my tea, at least I'll have shade!

I'll try to post a pic of the baby ginkgo in question... took it this morning. I think it found a good home at last, but crossing my fingers that the main trunk will get leaves next summer.

This message was edited Oct 21, 2007 10:51 AM

It's a beautiful color! How old is it?

It called to me from the tree 'yard' at the nursery. Isn't it bright? And today it's very windy, but the tree's lost only a few leaves. Maybe they'll hang on another few days.

No idea how old it is, but it was in the nursery for 2 yrs before I bought it. I've only had it about a week. It's about 4' tall. I'm told that within 10 yrs, it can be 20ft.

My advice is dont do anything to the top leader shoot, your tree is doing everything right by growing the top shoot for height, the side shoots for width and the leaves for protection and a way of drawing up water and getting air circulating around the growth, the leader has worked hard this year to make height, so it wont be making leaves and side shoots till it has finished it's growth for this year, some trees do this very early spring and therefore have enough time to also form leaves, so your new little tree is fine, dont cut off this leader branch or you will cause the rest of the tree to get into a panic to form new shoots and they will be too young and tender so will get damaged by wind and frost if you get any, the top branch needs time for the wood to harden off so that's another reason you may not be getting foliage and side shoots, it is still very much a baby and as you have just bought it, you have moved it from the nursery environment it was in, it will be trying to clematises to it's new surroundings, I would get it into the garden where you want to grow it before the fall really kicks in as the tree will stop growing anytime soon and drop it's wonderful coloured leaves, this is the best time for planting trees as the soil is still warm enough, but, the heat has gone from the hot sun, add loads of compost/.manure to the planting hole, make the hole much larger that the pot size it is in and gently try to spread the roots out without breaking any, firm the soil well around the roots and planting hole, but not too firm like standing your full weight on the soil or you will stop any air within the soil, just make sure you dont leave any air pockets around the roots when planting, you should add a firm tree stake to the planting hole before you add the plant then tie the tree to the stake with a tree tie but not so tight that it will damage the trunk, this will stop the roots rocking about in the winter time, another good idea for new trees at planting time if you live in an area that gets little rain water, cut the bottom of a large plastic juice container, place this into the planting hole with the neck end down into the hole
as you back fill the hole, this allows you to water come spring and the water you pour into the container goes down to the roots instead of running off the dry surface of the soil, after about 2 years, you remove the plastic container as the tree will be large enough to withstand less water at the roots and send out roots to search for moisture, refill the space the container took up with soil so that frost and cold dont get into the new roots. hope this helps you and you enjoy the trees colour for many years to come, it is a sight to behold once it matures. Good luck. Weenel.

Sage,
I think your tree looks fine. The only thing I would do with it is to put a good strong stake in the ground to pull that leader up straight. That will make it a stronger tree so it can better support it's side branches. Don't you just love that gorgeous yellow? I will never get tired of looking at mine during the fall. Like you, mine is planted where I can sit in my cedar swing (on my front porch) and enjoy it along with all the other trees I've planted. And you'll be surprised at how fast all those other trees of yours will grow! The oldest trees I have in my yard are now 3 years old and I'm amazed at how big they've gotten. Y'all are right, it is comforting to see "Jennifer's tree." We try to swing by there every year when we go up on her birthday to put flowers on her grave. Our ginkgo tree and a beautiful rose bush were both planted in her memory. She was such a sweetheart. Twenty-two is way too young to die.