Raleigh Ginkgo Tree Enters Annual Fall Display
The city’s award-winning Ginkgo biloba is shedding its golden leaves on the NC State campus this season.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Botany
Live Poll
Do you feel that campus landmarks and green spaces improve your university experience?
A landmark Ginkgo biloba tree on North Campus is currently displaying its signature yellow autumn foliage. Named Raleigh's Tree of the Year in 2022, the specimen stands between Park Shops and Page Hall.
Why it matters
The tree gained significant local interest due to its ornate color and status as a living relic. Its presence on campus highlights the university's ongoing commitment to urban forestry and species conservation.
The Ginkgo biloba species dates back as fossils to 60 million years ago, with ancestors existing for 200 million years. The International Union for Conservation of Nature officially classified the species as endangered in 1998.
The players
NC State Sustainability Fund
This university organization oversees campus environmental initiatives and created the interactive tree database.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
This global authority on the status of the natural world tracks the extinction risk of various plant and animal species.
The details
The tree thrives in the dense campus environment because the species can grow in tight spaces without root damage from adjacent buildings. Visitors can identify the tree via a specific plaque, which is part of a broader database effort launched by the NC State Sustainability Fund.
Timeline
1998: Species classified as endangered by IUCN.
2022: Tree named Raleigh's Tree of the Year.
Fall 2026: Ginkgo tree leaves turn yellow.
The Big Picture
The tree's inclusion in the NC State Interactive Tree Map extends the utility of institutional botanical cataloging programs. This digital framework provides a model for how universities track urban canopy health to support biodiversity in highly developed spaces.
Residents and students can visit the tree on North Campus to observe the species that has survived for millions of years. The tree serves as a practical example of how native and ornamental species can be integrated into modern infrastructure without causing property damage.
The takeaway
The endurance of the ginkgo tree reminds us of the importance of preserving ancient plant lineages within urban spaces. Consider exploring the campus tree map to identify other unique species growing in your local area.
Further reading
Learn more about local plant life in the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Technician.
Live Poll
Do you feel that campus landmarks and green spaces improve your university experience?
