It's good to hear that many here echo the importance of "appropriate" and "native" species. I do have a question about the parameters of acceptability of what native is.
The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glytostroboides) was discovered in the 1940's in China. Fossils were previously found in America that give provenance to their existence here. Seeds were brought over post haste upon their discovery, planted at Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon, and within several years, cones were ripening and seeds were propagated. Thus the tree, after being absent for eons, was reintroduced into a previous domain.
The Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba) has a similar history. An ancient species that gree throughout the world, was apparently a rather dominant species during the time of Pangeae (one big continent - prior to tectonic drifts. So, now it is reintroduced. This is a beautiful tree with a brilliant glow of gold in Autumn; with longer leave stems for good wind action. Though only the male gender is generally sold, as the female tree is messy and unpleasantly aromatic, IMH it is welcome in my book in the appropriate spots.
So, like the ubiquitous horses in America, which are not native, but brought over (reintroduced) by the Conquistadores, these trees have the potential to be reaccepted into the fold of what is native.
So, by virtue of their past heritage, are these two trees examples of native species ?
A row of Ginkgo biloba (caption edited for spelling typo)
G. biloba leaves and stems
