Unit 10 (010)
1. Ginkgo
We cover Ginkgo biloba in this unit because it has deciduous leaves, even though it
is a Gymnosperm and is classified with units 11-14.
Ginkgo trees are dioecious, with male plants the preferred landscape plant. The female
trees produce a fleshy covering around the seeds, which has a disagreeable odor. The
seeds are eaten in Asia.
2. Populus or Aspens and Poplars
Populus is dioecious and wind pollinated.
3. Salix or Willows
Salix is dioecious and insect pollinated. Cuttings root readily, and you can often stick
a new shoot in moist soil and it will root.
Willow buds are covered by a single cap like bud scale.
Large willows like our Salix alba var. tristis (Weeping Willow) are a little messy because
they drop a lot of small branches during the growing season.
Salix babylonica is an Asian weeping willow that is grown farther south, and normally
not in Michigan.