Princeton Sentry Maidenhair Tree

About this plant

The Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry' is a truly remarkable specimen, offering a unique architectural element to any landscape. This male cultivar is completely fruitless, eliminating the messy fruit associated with female ginkgo trees, making it an ideal choice for urban settings and patios. Its most striking feature is its distinctly columnar habit, which matures into a stately, narrow oval. The fan-shaped leaves, reminiscent of maidenhair ferns, emerge a fresh green in spring and transform into a breathtaking, uniform golden yellow in autumn, holding their color for an extended period. As a living fossil, the ginkgo is incredibly resilient and adaptable, tolerant of a wide range of challenging conditions including urban pollution, compacted soil, and salt. 'Princeton Sentry' is a superb choice for creating vertical interest, lining avenues, or as a magnificent focal point.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in a variety of soils, though it prefers well-drained conditions. Once established, it is remarkably drought tolerant. Minimal pruning is required, primarily to maintain its desired shape or to remove any errant branches. Generally pest and disease free.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.