Tree Information

Common Name: ginkgo

Scientific Name: Ginkgo biloba

Native/Naturalized: Naturalized

Database ID: 2610

Status: alive

National Champion: no

Virginia Champion: no

Circumference: 200 in.

Height: 79 ft.

Crown: 96 ft.

Points: 303

Date Last Measured: 2018

Last Measured by: Byron Carmean, Gary Williamson, Nancy Hugo

Date First Measured: 2018

Comments: This tree is on the property of Hickory Hill Manor, a property with prominence in state and national history. The original house and gardens were constructed in 1820 by William Fanning Wickham and wife Anne Carter, on a portion of an expansive estate inherited by Anne known as Shirley-on-the-James, which had come into possession of the Carter family by deed dated March 2, 1734. The original house burned and was reconstructed in 1875. It eventually became the home of the son of William and Anne, Williams Carter Wickham, brigadier-general of cavalry of the Confederate States of America. The gardens were intricately designed by Anne Carter and she brought many plants from the Shirley Plantation in 1820. The ginkgos are reported to have been brought to the Manor in 1853, a product of the expeditions of Admiral Perry and a gift from the Emperor of Japan.
Sources: (1) http://yodelout.com/virginia-historical-homes/hickory-hill, (2) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_Carter_Wickham, (3) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickory_Hill_(Ashland,_Virginia)

This tree appears to have been originally nominated by a direct descendant of the Wickham's in the 1970s or 1980s. A nomination form was found in the Big Tree Program records, submitted by 'Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Wickham, Jr.' and noted the land owner as 'Captain US Navy Retired Williams Carter Wickham, Sr.' A Google search suggests that the elder Wickham may have been a grandson of the original General W.C. Wickham, as his name was found in an Annual Register of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1907-1908. What became of W.C. Wickham, Jr. is not known.

A few small branches are broken, but the tree appears healthy and fruiting (a female). The owners are very fond of the tree and will protect it.