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What tree has no known insect pests or diseases?

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Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century—>Click here.

Ginkgo Tree-to-be Kit—>Click here.

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The ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) [gink' o bi lo' ba] is a survivor, the last of its line. These trees are unique in a number of ways. No ginkgo trees exist in the wild. They have no living relatives. The plants are dioecious, that is, either male or female. The sperm are flagellated and swim down the pollen tube to the ovule. The ovules are often not fertilized until after they've been shed from the parent tree. (After an ovule and sperm cell are united, then it is considered a seed.) And ginkgoes have no known insect pests or diseases.

Ginkgo Biloba — Unusually shaped foliage accents gray-brown bark. Grows slowly to a mature height of 40-70 ft. with massive branches and a 25-40 ft. spread. Withstands city pollution and is rarely bothered by pests or disease. Click here - $20 off at Henry Fields Seed and Nursery!

The ginkgo has probably out-survived whatever insects or diseases ginkgoes may have suffered from in the past. And since the tree is no longer found in the wild, the animals that planted its seeds are probably gone too.

The Chinese consider this tree sacred and it is grown on temple grounds. Infusions of the leaves of Ginkgo biloba have been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Ginkgo is said to be good for aging and memory. Medical experiments show that it helps reduce swelling of the brain in head trauma cases. In animal experiments, ginkgo was found to improve the utilization of glucose, aid in the recovery of tissues suffering from the lack of oxygen, and thin the blood. It is very tolerant of air pollution and may even be a natural air cleaner.

But considering that no modern insects feast upon this ancient tree is there something about gingko that insects know that we do not?

For more information about this living fossil, click on the link:

http://www.wellesley.edu/Biology/Web/Species/pgingko.html

For a cool photograph of a 1,000-year-old ginkgo that survived the bombing of Hiroshima, please click the link below. Then click on "the tree" on the left.

The GINKGO GARDEN

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Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Wollemi Pine

National Geographic®

Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.

Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area. Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.

You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening or as a landscape tree in certain areas of the U.S.

Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Comes in a copper-colored container and will be approximately 10''H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research. Click here to get your Wollemi Pine and assist in the conservation effort.

Ginkgo Tree-to-be Kit

National Geographic®

A sacred tree in Asia, the ginkgo biloba species has survived on our planet for approximately 270 million years and is a symbol of long life and memory. Extremely hardy and resilient with an unusual chemistry that is often studied for its medicinal benefits, it is thought to be a memory enhancer and antioxidant. It is a living fossil, one of the most ancient trees known to humans, and when cultivated it can survive for 1,000 years or more.

A wonderful way to celebrate milestones such as births and marriages, this unique gift kit includes everything you need to successfully start and grow a ginkgo, along with an aluminum tag to place a personalized inscription on the tree. Often planted ceremonially in memory of loved ones, this tree may very well shade your family for centuries to come. Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9. Can grow up to 20 feet tall in ten years. Ginkgo Tree-to-be Kit, Click here.

National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic®

You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.

Additional benefits include:

As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
A personalized Membership Certificate
Special discounts on selected products
The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects

Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home! Click here for price and more info...