More Gingkos, More Problems

As one man battles a ginkgo biloba tree in Brooklyn, another fights his own stinky tree situation in Queens. Barry Plonski's home on 210th Street and 43rd Avenue in Bayside is within smelling distance of multiple gingkos — and he places the smell they emit "at the olfactory intersection of animal feces and vomit." Female gingkos, the smelly fruit bearers, are the ones to blame — and there are about 15 in Plonski's neighborhood.

Locals told the Queens Tribune that it's fortunate "Korean people love these fruits... if it wasn't for the Asian gleaners coaxing fruits down with poles, the smell would be truly unbelievable." (Learn more about gingko gathering here.)

Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe told one resident of the neighborhood, "despite the admittedly displeasing smell, the trees were of value to the city because they reduce pollution, improve air quality, and enhance property values." The department won't remove a tree unless it's dying, but they do say they're not planning on planting anymore female gingkos.

Meanwhile, a reader tells us of his own Lady Gingko problems, saying: "I'm on the board of my BH co-op, and Tuesday night a bunch of discussion centered around the fact that a branch on one of our gingko trees has decided to change sex — from male to female, and is already creating a 'stink'. They've asked me to look into what can be done. Some people even suggested cutting the branch off — something I'm opposed to." He opined on his blog: "if the branch wants to be female, let it. Besides, what if we cut this one off, and another branch changes?" The gingkos are mutating, people.

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By Jen Carlson in News on November 20, 2009 4:00 PM

Comments [rss]

skipgates

Gingko nuts taste really good!

nicemarmot

Huh. My block is solid gingkos, but either they're all male or I have no sense of smell, because I'm not at all familiar with this smell. In fact, the street where I lived in high school had gingkos too and I don't remember a smell there either. It smells like dog shit? Maybe I have smelled it, but assumed it was shit...

TR

There are a couple of these trees on Ditmars blvd in Astoria. The worst is when the seeds get stepped on and the innards spread all over the side walk. If you step in them it's the equivalent of dog shit, a couple blocks down the street and you are wondering why the smell is still lingering until you take a glance at your shoes. Some business owners are really good at getting rid of them before they get cracked open, but others don't care and it becomes an enormous stinky mess.

JenChungsBaby

Stinkos.

Rocknrope

There's a gingko in Prospect Park right by a section of the loop. I like it because when that smell hits my nostrils, I know I'm almost done.

Burg

You're opinion is yours (smell) and not an excuse to cut down trees.

such wussies ... horrendous? 9/11 was horrendous (smell) this is a tree/nut with a strong smell. A tree that actually benefits life here in the city.

Well, that being said...your complaining is not "unbearable" so by all means hold your nose and carry on. My opinion about your complaining is just as meaningless.

tom9d

Did you really just bring 9/11 into a discussion about smelly trees? You don't think that's at all ridiculous?

buttface

If Jurassic Park was any indication...we're about to be eaten by dinosaurs.

nycviabos

They stink up East 69th between Lex and Third too during "that time of the year".

hotstepper

if only hugs and smiles came as easy as complaining...

NannyState

Even the trees in BH can't remember what gender they are.

Angelheaded Hipster

its a sensitive situation, mentioning the smell to the female gingkos

JenChungsBaby

When you stop going down on them they get the message.

Mike Luvs Jen Chung

So if I don't stop going down on you, you won't get the message?

Guest

that made me titter

tom9d

There are two of these trees in my neighborhood, and in fact, my bus stop is directly underneath one. The smell really is horrendous. The animal feces + vomit description is dead-on.