Above-ground tree biomass and distribution of nutrients between tree components and within the major components of the ecosystem were determined for a 15-year-old ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) plantation in central Korea. Total ecosystem biomass (excluding roots) was 160.6 Mg ha(-1), of which 79% was soil organic matter 6% was forest floor and 15% was living, above-ground biomass. Total above-ground tree biomass was 23.8 Mg ha(-1), of which 10% was foliage. Concentrations of N, P and Mg were greatest in foliage, while concentrations of Ca and K were greater in branch or stembark than foliage. Total ecosystem nutrient contents were (kg ha(-1)) 5544 for N, 1384 for Ca, 554 for K, 480 for P and 145 for Mg, respectively The forest floor had the largest accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in live and dead above-ground components. The greatest proportion of total ecosystem nutrient capital was contained in the mineral soil. Of the total contents of N and P, more than 90% were contained in the upper 20 cm mineral soil. Foliage-only harvesting of ginkgo trees commonly practiced in Korea might degrade site-quality, proper plans for nutrition-management should be considered if foliages were to be harvested regularly.