2022 Volume 48 Issue 4 Pages 117-132
Three kinds of shoots are recognized in Ginkgo biloba: coppice shoots, long shoots, and short shoots. The most distinctive morphological function of G. biloba coppice shoots is to maintain a live tree crown. Tree trunks of G. biloba have soft weak wood and are easily broken by strong winds such as typhoons. Coppice shoots of G. biloba develop where the tree trunk is cut or broken, or at the trunk base, and grow rapidly, resulting in recovery of trees from disturbance. Both long shoots and short shoots of G. biloba are similar to those of other tree species. Long shoots produce canopy volume while short shoots develop leaves and flowers.
