The Ginkgo biloba, often called the maidenhair tree, is an ancient and resilient species known for its distinctive fan-shaped leaves and bright fall foliage. This article compares two popular male cultivars, ‘Princeton Sentry’ and ‘Autumn Gold’, often chosen for landscape applications.
Ginkgo Princeton Sentry: Key Characteristics
‘Princeton Sentry’ is a male Ginkgo biloba cultivar with an upright, narrow, and columnar growth habit. It typically reaches 40 to 50 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread. Its dense branching forms a symmetrical, pyramidal shape. The fan-shaped leaves emerge green in spring, turning a rich, uniform golden yellow in autumn. This cultivar suits urban environments or tight spaces, and as a male selection, it does not produce odorous fruit.
Ginkgo Autumn Gold: Key Characteristics
‘Autumn Gold’ is a male Ginkgo biloba cultivar known for its broader, spreading, and symmetrical crown, reaching 40 to 50 feet tall with a wider spread of 25 to 30 feet. Its growth habit is broad pyramidal or rounded. The fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant golden-yellow in fall, making it ideal for intense autumn display. This cultivar suits larger landscapes where an expansive canopy is desired, serving as a specimen or shade tree. As a male cultivar, ‘Autumn Gold’ is fruitless.
Direct Comparison: Princeton Sentry vs. Autumn Gold
The main distinction between ‘Princeton Sentry’ and ‘Autumn Gold’ Ginkgo cultivars is their mature growth habit and size. ‘Princeton Sentry’ develops a distinctively narrow, columnar, or upright form, typically reaching 40 to 50 feet tall with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. This contrasts with ‘Autumn Gold’, which exhibits a broader, more spreading, or rounded crown, growing to a similar height but with a wider spread of 25 to 30 feet. These forms influence their landscape applications.
Both cultivars display a brilliant golden-yellow fall color. Their vibrant autumn display is uniform and rapid. While the timing and intensity of fall color are generally similar, some sources suggest ‘Autumn Gold’ is particularly noted for its exceptional golden hue. In terms of growth rate, both are considered slow to moderate growers, especially in their initial years after planting. They may take a few seasons to establish before exhibiting more significant growth.
Their mature size and shape dictate suitability for different landscape uses. ‘Princeton Sentry’ is an excellent choice for confined spaces, narrow street plantings, or as a vertical accent due to its slender profile. Conversely, ‘Autumn Gold’ is better suited for larger open areas, such as parks, spacious residential lawns, or as a shade tree, where its expansive canopy can fully develop.
Both cultivars share several positive traits common to the Ginkgo species, including strong resistance to pests and diseases. They are also highly tolerant of urban conditions, including air pollution, drought once established, and a wide range of soil types. As male cultivars, neither produces undesirable fruit.
Choosing the Right Ginkgo for Your Landscape
Selecting the appropriate Ginkgo cultivar for your landscape depends on your available space and desired aesthetic. When space is limited, such as in narrow urban lots, along sidewalks, or as a vertical accent, ‘Princeton Sentry’ is a highly suitable choice. Its columnar habit suits compact areas.
For larger properties, open lawns, or areas where a broad shade tree is desired, ‘Autumn Gold’ offers a more expansive canopy. This cultivar provides a wider spread, making it ideal for creating significant shade or as a prominent specimen tree in a spacious setting. Consider the long-term vision for your garden and the mature size of each tree to ensure it complements your landscape design effectively.
General Care for Ginkgo Trees
Ginkgo trees are adaptable and relatively low maintenance once established. They thrive best in full sun, requiring full sun for optimal growth and fall color. Well-drained soil is important, though Ginkgos tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.
During their initial years, young Ginkgo trees benefit from regular watering to help establish a robust root system. Once mature, they become quite drought tolerant. Pruning requirements are minimal, typically involving the removal of dead or crossing branches to maintain a healthy structure. Fertilization is usually only necessary for young trees to encourage initial growth.