Ginkgo tree finds adaptability in Kurdistan

ERBIL, December 24 — In an endeavor spanning five years, the Erbil Agricultural Research Directorate has undertaken extensive research on the cultivation of ginkgo trees in the Kurdistan region. Originating from East Asia with a historical lineage tracing back 3,000 years, ginkgos, large gymnosperm trees, are proving adaptable to the diverse climate of Kurdistan, ranging from cold to more temperate regions.

Shirzad Salah Ali, head of the forestry department at the Erbil Agricultural Research Directorate and a botany master’s degree holder, shared with 964 the success of their investigation into ginkgo cultivation. The trees, having been successfully grown from seeds in Erbil, exhibit resilience and viability, particularly thriving in colder climates.

With plans underway to expand this innovative planting initiative to various parts of the Kurdistan Region, including Amedi and Choman, Salah underscored the manifold benefits of the ginkgo tree. These encompass medicinal, environmental, industrial, and nutritional applications, with a specific emphasis on the health benefits derived from the yellow leaves.

Expressing a commitment to integrating ginkgo into the Kurdish landscape, Salah highlighted the tree’s remarkable ability to absorb harmful gases. The Erbil Agricultural Research Directorate aims to officially present the tree’s suitability to regional authorities, positioning it as a valuable and environmentally impactful addition to the natural landscape of the Kurdistan Region.