Stinky trees gave birth to the name of an Ames summer festival.

The origin of Ames’ Ginkgo Festival actually came from a controversy concerning unpleasant-smelling trees in the downtown district.

Some community members wanted to cut down the female Ginkgo trees because of the bad odor the berries produced.

After some debate, the City Council decided to harvest the berries before they created the smell, thus saving the trees, said Rich Harter, executive director for the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In concurrence with the tree debate, community organizers, including Mayor Larry Curtis, felt the need for a summer festival in Ames.

The Ginkgo Festival, now in its third year, was the result of that need.

“It was an interesting controversy, and we felt planning a festival around it would be unique and get people’s attention,” Harter said. “It was planned to precede the Midnight Madness Road Race so more people would come and enjoy the community during the day.”

Another important aspect of the Ginkgo tree is its Jurassic origin, Harter said.

The festival’s mascot, Ginkgosaurus, represents that time period and the tree leaves make up part of its anatomy.

Harter said the festival has grown in the past years in both the number of visitors and the diversity of events.

“The fullness of the festival has improved,” he said.

“The first year, some of the area was almost desolate, but now it’s more spread out with more activities.”

This year, Harter said, the Sunday events will take place in Bandshell Park.

Previously, Sunday seemed rather slow since the downtown businesses were closed.

Harter said the organizers of the festival feel Bandshell Park has a more cozy setting and should be a positive change.

“The most gratifying part is seeing the community take the essence of the festival and make it part of the fabric of our town,” he said.

“People speak of it like it has been here forever,” he said.