One of the largest ginkgo trees in New Zealand, this tree was planted by Clement Govett in 1880 in the grounds of his property “Maranui”. Upon his death, the grounds were purchased by Thomas List, the owner of the Taranaki Daily News newspaper, in 1914. When List passed away, his wishes were to donate this part of the property to the city, adding to the grounds of Brooklands Park to the west. The donation was marked by a visit from the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe in March 1934.

The tree is female, bearing fruit which, when fallen, has an odour charitably described as pungent. As such, the male tree is planted more often. This tree is well sited in in the centre of a small gully off the north-eastern side of the Maranui Gully walk, and is one of the feature trees of the park. A low branch was noted by Smith in 2002 to have fallen, likely after Burstall’s measurements of 1973, creating a hollow in the base between the two co-dominant leaders that divide from around 2 m. Access to the tree proper is difficult, being guarded by a dense tangle of king ferns growing right up to and around the base.

References:
C Smith, The Notable Trees of New Plymouth, 2002
S. W. Burstall, New Zealand Forest Service- Forest Research Institute, Forest Mensuration Report No. 19, 1973 (unpublished)
D. Medway, The Significant Plants of Pukekura Park, 2018