Cincinnati Welcomes New Official Conifer

Cincinnati Welcomes New Official Conifer: A Symbol of Resilience

Cincinnati, OH – The city of Cincinnati has officially welcomed a new conifer to its urban landscape. In a recent event held at the Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, Dave Gressley, members of the American Conifer Society, Cincinnati Parks, Mayor Aftab Pureval, and Councilmember Meeka Owens gathered to celebrate the planting of a Ginkgo tree.

What a great honor to have a new Gingko, “Queen City’ as the official city tree of Cincinnati. Ginkgo biloba 'Queen City’ is a newer dwarf ginkgo selection that was recently found at Spring Grove Arboretum. The structure is tubafolia which divides into two lobes. Each is at its viewing peak in fall as the lobes collect rain and condensation.  The lobes have traditional fall ginkgo color, but start from the outside working in.   

Due to the nature of the scaffolding, the tree appears to have a dense upright oval shape. The density is in part due to the internode length and the tendency to send branches back through the middle of the tree to the other side of the canopy. Its growth rate is dwarf @ 6" in Cincinnati. The original tree at Spring Grove has put on 10" plus when there is abundant rainfall in the growing season. The name ‘Queen City’ honors Cincinnati, which is known as The Queen City.

Councilmember Owens, who chairs the Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the new addition. “This Ginkgo tree represents resilience and is a beautiful embodiment of our continued work to ensure a healthy, thriving environment for the next generation,” she stated.

The Ginkgo tree, known for its hardiness and longevity, is a fitting symbol for Cincinnati’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of the community to promote green spaces and foster a healthier urban ecosystem.

As Cincinnati continues to prioritize environmental initiatives, the new Ginkgo tree stands as a testament to the city’s dedication to creating a sustainable future for all its residents.