Ginkgo biloba 'Palo Alto' is a male, it is believed to have originated from E. H. Scanlon & Associates Nurseries in Ohio in the United States of America in 1955. The misconception is that and is named after Palo Alto which is a city in California’s San Francisco Bay area. In fact it was given the name ‘Palo Alto’ for its literal meaning which is ‘tall timber’.
 
Description - Ginkgo biloba 'Palo Alto' has leaves which are broad but deeply incised. The annual growth rate is 25 to 30 cm. In spring of 2019 the specimen in the National Collection flowered at an age of only five, which is quite remarkable for the species, as general rule they flower at about thirty years of age. It is a narrow growing cultivar which is said to reach a height of about 10 - 18 m that will broaden with age.