The Ginkgo is known for its uniquely shaped, dark green leaves. No other tree species has foliage like this. But if the beautiful, green leaves suddenly turn unsightly, sunburn could be the cause. This is what you can do to prevent leaf burns.
How do I avoid sunburn with ginkgo?
To prevent ginkgo sunburn, you should slowly accustom the plant to the sun, place young trees in partial shade, water sufficiently and use natural materials such as clay or ceramic for potted ginkgo plants.
Can the ginkgo get sunburn?
In fact, the ginkgo tree – like us humans – can get sunburned when exposed to intense sunlight. This happens especially on very sunny and hot days and is shown by unsightly yellowish or brown leaf discoloration. Plants are particularly at risk if
- they can be planted in full sun without a longer acclimatization period
- There is no need to provide shade (e.g. by felling a tree or removing a wall)
- after a long period of bad weather, when it suddenly gets hot again
Plants also need some time to develop pigments or a wax layer that protect against harmful UV rays. So the ginkgo practically provides itself with sun protection if you give it the opportunity.
What can you do against sunburn on ginkgo?
Once the leaves of the ginkgo are damaged by sunburn, they can no longer be saved. You can safely cut off damaged leaves or wait until the leaves fall off on their own in autumn.
It is much more important to protect the ginkgo from excessive sunlight. This is the only way you can prevent other parts of the plant from being affected and the tree from becoming unnecessarily stressed - if the heat stress continues, a young plant in particular can even die.
- Provide shade, especially during the hot and sunny midday hours.
- Water the ginkgo more, but only on the roots and if possible early in the morning or evening.
- Never water on the leaves!
- Place potted trees in a different location.
How do you distinguish sunburn from leaf diseases?
Is the ginkgo suffering from a leaf disease - such as that caused by fungi - or is it sunburned? You can identify the latter by these symptoms:
- Ginkgo was suddenly exposed to high heat and sunlight.
- Leaves have beige or brown spots.
- The tree may also have its leaves hanging or appear floppy overall.
Can you prevent sunburn on ginkgo?
You can effectively prevent sunburn on your ginkgo by taking these measures:
- Do not plant young plants immediately, but rather slowly get used to the new location.
- The same applies to ginkgos in pots that are put outside again after winter rest.
- In particular, place young ginkgo trees in a partially shaded location for the first few years or shade them if necessary - they are more sensitive than old trees.
- Water sufficiently on hot days and during dry periods.
- Make sure there is sufficient water supply, especially for potted specimens.
Tip
Do not put ginkgos in plastic pots
Some people keep their ginkgo tree in a planter. The most important thing is that you place the ginkgo in a sufficiently large pot made of natural materials - such as clay or ceramic - as this ensures a root-friendly microclimate in summer. In plastic pots, however, it quickly becomes too hot for the plants, especially in direct sunlight.
