The 'Autumn Gold' form was introduced by the Saratoga Foundation in 1955. 'Autumn Gold', unlike the sometimes oddly branched species form, has a symmetrical, regular, conical shape. It is a male clone, which will not produce the distinctive smelly fruit, and will mature to large, 50' high by 30' wide, tree. The Ginkgo is an ancient deciduous conifer and evidence has been found which shows this tree coexisted with the dinosaurs. Ginkgo is sometimes called the maidenhair tree due to its beautiful fan shaped leaves that resemble a maidenhair fern frond. It is one of the most pollution-tolerant trees and works well in the city and in large, open areas. Insignificant green flowers appear in the spring. Ginkgo has wonderful yellow fall color. It produces stout spurs along the branches; these spurs and the stiff branches give the ginkgo a formal, stiff, spiky appearance in winter. Golden yellow fall color is outstanding.