If you buy a gingko, make sure it's male

I am writing in response to the recent article about gingko trees. They are not true fruits, the foul smelling balls found on the female of the species. These are gymnosperms, like conifers that do not enclose seeds in an ovary but are naked seeds. The fleshy, foul smelling seed coat is from an outer seed.

Ginko biloba is the sole surviving species of the Order Gingkoales. They have survived from being in cultivation from the ancient Chinese. They will tolerate urban soil and air pollution conditions quite well.

Male gingkos do not have the fleshy, foul-smelling seeds. The odor is from butyric acid. That is one of the fatty acids.

Seeds are crushed by bicycle and automobile tires and feet, causing the foul stench near these trees.

It takes several years for a gingko sapling to develop seeds.

They are a beautiful tree. Rather slow growing, the unique waxy fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant golden color in the fall. The trees on south Lincoln Avenue near the University of Illinois Arboretum are in full splendor. However, gingko leaves fall suddenly, often all the leaves on a tree within 24 hours.

Some years we are lucky with a late frost that kills off the seeds. When buying a gingko from a nursery, it is best to ascertain that it is a male tree and that is not producing the foul seeds. These may have been propagated asexually from cuttings.

Don't let the foul smelling seeds stand in the way of enjoying them.

GEORGE CARLISLE

Urbana