Ginkgo Biloba trees are are considered living fossils dating back to the Pliocene era and were at one time almost extinct. Numerous varieties of the tree were native only to China. However, all Ginkgos died out except for the Biloba version. It was carefully cultivated for thousands of years by Chinese Monks for medicinal purposes.

As a port town, our neighbour's trees would have been brought to Port Hope as seedlings. Does anyone know when?

At least two trees are necessary for survival.
By-passers comment on the rancid butter smell of the fallen fruit but when previous owners threatened to cut them down, an injunction prevented it. They are protected as Heritage trees, important to Port Hope's history.