Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m., Bowker Auditorium
General admission advance: $10; At the door: $15. Free to Five College & GCC students.
Perhaps the world’s most distinctive tree, Ginkgo has remained stubbornly unchanged for more than two hundred million years. A living link to the age of dinosaurs, it survived the great ice ages as a relic in China, but it earned its reprieve when people first found it useful about a thousand years ago. Today Ginkgo is beloved for the elegance of its leaves, prized for its edible nuts, and revered for its longevity. Renowned botanist Peter Crane explores the history of the ginkgo from its mysterious origin through its proliferation, drastic decline, and ultimate resurgence. Crane also highlights the cultural and social significance of the ginkgo: its medicinal and nutritional uses, its power as a source of artistic and religious inspiration, and its importance as one of the world’s most popular street trees.
Tuesday, October 7- Class visits with Students and Faculty
Dr. Crane will meet with colleagues and student and in his conversation highlight the cultural and social significance of the ginkgo: its medicinal and nutritional uses, its power as a source of artistic and religious inspiration, and its importance as one of the world’s most popular street trees, open to the public by invitation only.
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I’m glad I attended this event. I enjoyed Peter Crane’s presentation and learned much about the ginkgo tree. His illustrations were excellent. The videos of the reproduction processes were special. I grew up near a ginkgo tree in eastern MA, and always liked the fan-shaped leaves. My mother used to tell us that it was important to have only 1 ginkgo tree, or to be sure that all the ginkgo trees were of one sex — to avoid stinky fruit. I wondered whether her information was correct. That curiosity brought me to this talk, which was delightful.