Ginkgo in Rödelheim, Natural monument in Rödelheim, Germany

The Ginkgo in Rödelheim is a single ginkgo biloba tree standing a few metres south of the Petrihaus, at the south-eastern edge of Alt-Rödelheim. It is about 18 metres tall and over 270 years old, the oldest specimen of its species in Germany. The Nidda and the Rödelheim weir run just south-east of the property.

Planted around 1750 in Rödelheim, then part of the County of Solms-Rödelheim, the tree stood beside the Petrihaus, which was at times owned and lived in by the merchant and banker Georg Brentano. In September 1814 Goethe stayed with the Brentano family there; the following year he wrote Gingo biloba, dated 15 September 1815 and dedicated to Marianne von Willemer, and a plaque at the tree's foot suggests the sight of it inspired the poem.

Goethe stayed with the Brentano family at Rödelheim in September 1814; the following year he wrote "Gingo biloba", dated 15 September 1815 and dedicated to Marianne von Willemer, decorating the fair copy with two ginkgo leaves. A panel at the foot of the tree suggests the sight of this then roughly 65-year-old specimen inspired the poem, though the leaves cannot be securely linked to it.

The tree is best accessed during regularly organized events by the Petrihaus association and on the last Sunday afternoon of each month from spring to autumn. Visitors should note that a protective zone of roughly 10 meters surrounds the specimen and must be respected.

This specimen holds the status of Germany's oldest of its kind and draws attention through its remarkable size and advanced age. Its existence dates back to a period when this Asian tree species was still extremely rare across Europe.