Ginkgo leaves in Schenley Park, 31 Oct 2022 (photo by Kate St. John)

11 November 2025

Ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) are living fossils from the Triassic, the only plant in their division to survive into the modern age. Because they are extremely hardy, cope well with air pollution and confined root systems, and are beautiful in autumn, they are often planted in cities around the world. Pittsburgh has many ginkgo trees, perhaps because of our Smoky City past.

Ginkgo trees at Jewish Association on Aging, Garetta Street as seen from JHF Drive, 11 Nov 2017 (photo by Kate St. John)

For seven years, Pittsburgh writer and professor Mark Kramer has been mapping ginkgo locations, mostly in southwestern Pennsylvania. Through word of mouth he now has pin drops in 3 countries and 26 states.

Ginkgo Tree Tracker map by Mark Kramer, embedded from Google Maps

At this time of year, when the ginkgos are at their peak of yellow, Mark asks for more photos and locations.

Do you know of a ginkgo that isn’t on his map? I do. It’s the row of trees pictured above.

Here’s how to contact Mark:

• If you’re on Facebook, you can Follow and contact Mark here.
• His contact information is also on the About page on his website at mnkramer.com.