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Ginkgo Tree with Small Leaves and Suckers: Cold Injury and Stress Recovery

15-year-old ginkgo with mostly thumbnail-sized leaves, full-sized leaves only on basal suckers and scattered branches: indicates cold injury last winter and/or growing season stress. Suckers are a stress response.

Management

Fertilize with slow-release tree fertilizer.
Water during dry periods.
Remove basal suckers (cut at ground level) to direct energy to main trunk.
Monitor for normal leaf size next spring.

Note

Ginkgos are resilient; one bad year doesn't doom the tree. Suckers confirm root system is alive and trying to compensate.

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