Winter has arrived, but before we settle fully into the season, I want to take us back to fall for just a moment to enjoy those golden leaves a little longer — specifically the magical ginkgo trees. We often walk past the trees in our parks without truly seeing them. But once you start looking closely, noticing their shapes, colors, and quirks, your curiosity begins to expand in ways you don’t expect.
So let’s get to know the ginkgo tree a little better, because it is one of my all-time favorites.
The ginkgo tree, known scientifically as Ginkgo biloba, is one of the oldest living tree species on Earth — dating back more than 200 million years. Often called a “living fossil,” it survived mass extinctions and was once believed extinct until it was rediscovered in ancient temple gardens in China.
Its distinctive fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant, buttery gold each fall, and the tree has become a symbol of resilience, longevity, and endurance. Incredibly hardy, the ginkgo thrives in cities, tolerates pollution, resists disease, and even has a few legendary survivors that lived through the Hiroshima bombing. With some specimens reaching more than a thousand years old, the ginkgo stands as a powerful reminder of nature’s persistence and history.
One of its most enchanting traits is the way it sheds its leaves almost all at once. Most trees lose their leaves gradually, but a ginkgo can drop its entire canopy in a single day — sometimes in a single hour — leaving a glowing golden carpet beneath it. This dramatic moment happens because the tree forms a special separation layer at the base of each leaf stem. When the first hard freeze arrives, that layer weakens all at once, and the leaves let go together.
It’s nature’s coordinated finale — brief, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Upcoming events
- Dec. 9: Allegheny Commons Photography Walk — Focus on Reflections Location: Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons Park Time: 9-10 a.m. Details: Join Ranger Stevie for a photography walk focusing on the wildlife within Allegheny Commons. This is a great time to pull out your zoom lens! Phone photography is always welcomed! See you there!
- Dec 23: Allegheny Commons Photography Walk — Focus on Winter Location: Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons Park Time: 9-10 a.m. Details: Join Ranger Stevie for a photography walk, bring your phone, wipe the dust off those cameras and let’s learn about the shutter speed on your camera and how that can help you take a sharper photo! See you there!
Registration Link: Please text Ranger Stevie with your name Questions? Please contact Ranger Stevie via text, at (412) 496-2112 n
