This Popular Fruit Tree Could Be Stinking Up Your Yard

You walk outside and get a whiff of a very pungent odor that smells like rancid butter and vomit. Looking around you don't see anything decaying or even any trash. The only thing you see is your perfect shade tree that's been around since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth — your ginkgo tree. But could this popular fruit tree be stinking up your yard? Unfortunately, there is a chance that it is. But your neighbor has the same tree, and it has no smell; so why does yours smell so bad? 

Chances are you have a female ginkgo tree. Gingko trees are a dioecious species, which are trees with two sexes: A female seed-bearing tree and a male pollen-bearing tree. The female produces fruit that smells horrid once it ripens and makes an icky mess for months. While many cities spray their female ginkgo trees with solutions to hinder maturing, there is no true way to stop the female plant from producing fruit. Instead, there are other non-smelly options such as planting a male ginkgo variant or planting a better alternative.

If you love gingko trees but hate the smell, you don't have to give these beautiful trees up completely. Instead, it is known as a tree that you should select based on gender. While the male tree doesn't smell, it is crucial to be observant while first picking out this beauty. Since this plant is hard to differentiate at the seedling stage, it is always important to visit a reputable cultivar that has male-only variants such as Autumn Gold or Lakeview. 

However, you may still be taking a chance with the male variant. While very rare, ginkgo trees can change sexes. It is an evolutionary phenomenon that is still being studied today. But don't worry, the chances of this happening to your gingko tree are slim and only happen if your male tree grows a female branch. But why take the chance when there is a better alternative that is just as beautiful and easy to grow, such as the crabapple?

Skip the smell, messes, and gender uncertainty of gingko trees and opt for a crabapple tree instead. This tree has a beautiful display almost all year long with colors ranging from pinks and reds to yellows and oranges. There are loads of varieties that bear delicious, sweet treats, and if you're a bird lover, this colorful tree is also the plant you need in your yard if you want to attract hummingbirds.

Just like ginkgo trees, crabapple trees are easy to grow and thrive in many different soils and locations. However, the big difference between the two (besides the smell) is that ginkgo trees grow relatively slow, while crabapples grow moderate or fast, depending on the species. If you're worried about the mess of fruit, there is even a variant that doesn't produce any: Spring Snow. But that doesn't mean its beauty disappears; Spring Snows still have beautiful white flowers and green to yellow foliage, making them a stunning addition to your yard.