When I was in Japan they explained why Gingko trees are often planted near temples (apart from looking awesome), they say that the water content in the leaves a

When I was in Japan they explained why Gingko trees are often planted near temples (apart from looking awesome), they say that the water content in the leaves and their apparent readiness to drop when stressed make them a great fire suppressant, and that fires in Autumn often failed to spread when there are gingko leaves on the ground, protecting the temple itself.