The gingko or ginkgo tree is often referred to as a living fossil, because it is the only remaining representative of a perished botanical family (the Ginkgoaceae) and is considered to be the oldest living tree species, dating back to more than 150 million years. Ginkgo is a deciduous, hardy shade tree with unique fan-shaped leaves. It is native to China, Japan and Korea, but is also now grown in Europe and the United States. Ginkgo biloba or maidenhair, is practically pest-free, resistant to gypsy moth, long living and drought tolerant. Young trees are often very open but they fill in to form a denser canopy. It makes a durable street tree as it is tolerant to air pollution and road salt. It also makes for an excellent specimen tree, including bonsai. The shape is often irregular with a large branch or 2 seemingly forming its own tree on the trunk. Ginkgo tolerates most soil, including compacted and alkaline and grows slowly to 75 ft. tall or more. The tree is easily transplanted and has a vivid yellow fall color which is second to none in brilliance, even in the south. However, leaves fall quickly and the fall color show is short. Cold hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9.