We looked for ginkgo berries in the US and Canada for 3 years and couldn't find any for sale.
Selling raw ginkgo berries can be tricky for a few reasons.
1. Ginkgo trees grow very slowly, so few gardeners grow them. Most ginkgo trees in the US and Canada can be found in places like parks and university campuses.
2. Ginkgo fruits are incredibly stinky, and for that reason most ginkgo trees in the US and Canada are male and do not bear fruit.
3. Ginkgo berries have to be collected in autumn when they are yellow and fully ripe.
4. Ginkgo trees are tall, so the best way to harvest them is to wait for the berries to drop.
5. Ginkgo nuts are a tasty superfood and a great medicine, so many people in Asian communities look for ginkgo trees and collect berries to make traditional snacks.
6. Ginkgo fruits get spoiled quickly. It is best to boil them while they are fresh. Alternatively, they can be frozen, which adds cost. They can also be dried, but it is tricky, and again, they stink a lot.
