It did leaf out this spring, after getting sunburned (after the leaf out) it lost 70% of its leaves and tried to leaf out again but produced tiny little leaves, I was watering it just fine.

Could it be that it produced a second root flare above the original because of its years of sitting in a tiny container? because I see a second widening of its width just below the first set of roots, it’s on the left of where it’s touching the soil.

and we white washed the tree upon planting that’s why it looks a little white on the bark.

I wouldn't worry about the leaves coming back smaller after losing 70 percent of the canopy. In bonsai, this is done intentionally on japanese maples and other species. The leaves grow back out, but when they do, they are generally smaller. Next year's spring growth, should be back to normal size.

Ken is right about the root flare. I'd just follow his directions.

Tell us about your watering. How much and how often? Whitewashed? Why and with what? Even for the narrowest of ginkgos your tree is too close to the house and with all the mortar work I see the pH of the soil may be too high for even a forgiving ginkgo.

tj

I inspect the soil with hand and when it’s slightly dry I water for 15 minutes with a hose, that would be two times a week.

the tree had a fungal disease on its bark upon purchase that’s why I whitewashed it with fungicide containing professional tree paint. here’s a picture. this problem is gone now.

oh that’s not a house, it’s a decorative thin wall that is going to be removed.

I have not payed any attention to soil ph but I do apply liquid humic acid once or twice a month, doesn’t that balance the ph?

Regardless of whether that is a temporary wall (to be removed) or not, that tree does not look like it is properly sited for its potential size. Unless a dwarf cultivar, ginkgos have the ability to become large trees and they are typically sited where there is free clearance from any potential obstruction. I would like to see a photo of the entire tree showing its siting in relationship to the garden and any structures as a whole before I'd accept that its current location is even slightly appropriate.

"I have not payed any attention to soil ph but I do apply liquid humic acid once or twice a month, doesn’t that balance the ph?"

It can have a short term impact with raising a too low pH (acidic) soil but it is going to do bupkus if the soil pH is already high. And liquid humic acid is one of those snake oil type products that clever manufacturers like to sell to naïve gardeners in the belief that it will do something quite magical in the garden or to the soil.........but it doesn't. It is just liquified coal.

Any root issues the ginkgo might have are very incidental to other, rather glaring issues that need to be addressed.

if you dont get it to live.. pH isnt going to matter ...

things with trees happen in tree time.. which is counted in decades .. there is little chance your soil is so out of whack its had any impact on this tree in one season ..

where are you.. big city name ... and what if anything else in your garden is failing due to a pH issue ...

you can call you local county extension office.. and ask them generally if there are any pH issues in your county .... and ask if they offer a soil test ...

who diagnosed the fungal issue.. and who advised paint???

with large transplants... you have to regrow the root mass lost in field digging .. or pot trimming... nothing will speed that.. in tree time it will take years ... fert is not suggested .... nor is spraying already weakened leaves ...

watering properly is the only thing you need ...

compare what you did.. with the link below ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub