Pratt Ginkgo

This is the Pratt Ginkgo beside the rotunda at the University of Virginia, a few blocks from where I live. It is typically the last tree to turn colour and shed its leaves in the fall. At this (my favourite) stage, the tree offers a mix of bright yellow and green- mostly yellow to the north and green to the south. Next, all the leaves go deep yellow and then fall very suddenly together into one spectacular heap at its feet.

The tree is perhaps 150 years old and features a horse hitch on the east side. It was planted by a major figure in the early days of the university.