Photo: EecherplazGinkgo06.jpg: Cayambe derivative work: Ginkgotree (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Broadleaf tree
Ginkgo: when and how to prune
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is best pruned in November–March.
| Pruning months | November–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | April |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Ginkgo: when to prune it?
Dead, diseased and broken branches can be removed at any time of year. If pruning is needed, do it during winter dormancy (November–March).
Prune while dormant, from November to March, but not in freezing weather.
What else to prune in those months? January · February · March · November · December
Ginkgo: how to prune it?
- Hardly needs pruning; grows slowly and forms a nice shape on its own.
- On a young tree, only remove a competing leader and crossing or damaged branches.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: November–March.
- Grows best when left alone. Only remove dead, diseased or awkward branches.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Pruning too much: it grows best when left alone.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Prune little and never hard: a ginkgo grows slowly and takes years to replace a branch you have sawn off.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.