Ginkgo vs Narrow-leaved ash

Ginkgo and Narrow-leaved ash are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, shade). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba 6 m × 5 m after 10 years

A distinctive, ancient tree with fan-shaped leaves that all turn brilliant golden yellow at once in autumn. It has almost no pests or diseases,…

Large tree

Full sun

from about CZK 360

Narrow-leaved ash

Fraxinus angustifolia 6 m × 3.5 m after 10 years

A large tree with fine, narrow leaflets and glossy green foliage; its regional subspecies, the Hungarian or Danubian ash, is a tree of lowland…

Large tree

Full sun

from about CZK 8,000

Key differences

Narrow-leaved ash: We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) also kills narrow-leaved ash and its regional subspecies in Central Europe, above all on floodplains: it can kill young and mature trees alike.
Ginkgo spreads wider: 6 m × 5 m after ten years, against 6 m × 3.5 m for Narrow-leaved ash (an estimate: sources differ).
Narrow-leaved ash grows faster than Ginkgo.
Ginkgo is hardier: down to -34 °C, against -23 °C for Narrow-leaved ash.
Ginkgo tolerates drought better than Narrow-leaved ash.
Ginkgo needs less care than Narrow-leaved ash.

Which one to choose?

Ginkgo is the safer choice: we do not recommend planting Narrow-leaved ash in most gardens.

Watch out for

Ginkgo

It has no serious pests or diseases. The fleshy coat of the ripe seeds that fall from female trees gives off a penetrating stench like rancid butter and makes paths slippery; planting male clones is the only way to avoid it. Growth is slow and the crown sparse in the first years, roots rot in waterlogged soil, and young trees need watering in dry weather.

Narrow-leaved ash

Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) also kills narrow-leaved ash and its regional subspecies in Central Europe, above all on floodplains: it can kill young and mature trees alike. Susceptibility differs between individual trees and clones, and some observations suggest the species is more tolerant than European ash, but no resistant cultivar is on sale and there is no treatment. The Asian emerald ash borer threatens ashes from the east as well. 'Raywood' branches split easily when the tree grows fast in rich soil, and its vigorous roots can cause trouble near paving.

The data side by side

Feature	Ginkgo	Narrow-leaved ash
Group	Large tree	Large tree
Size after 10 years	6 m × 5 m (uncertain)	6 m × 3.5 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	15–25 m × 9–15 m	15–25 m × 8–12 m (uncertain)
Growth rate	Slow	Medium
Light	Full sun	Full sun
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	High	High
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, green	March–April, yellow, green (uncertain)
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	High	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Medium
Planting distance	800 cm	900 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about CZK 6,000 (100–150 cm)	approx. CZK 8,000

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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