Loquat Tree – Eriobotya Japonica
- Date: 29/Mar/2024
- Comments: 3
The Loquat tree is native to South Central China and is a flowering plant from the Rosaceae family.
Loquat Tree General Information
It is a large evergreen shrub or small tree and is cultivated as an ornamental plant.
It is also grown commercially for its yellow fruit but this seldom ripens in the UK.
Description of the Loquat Tree
This large evergreen shrub or small tree has an umbrella shaped rounded crown and a short trunk.
The tree can grow to between 16–33 feet but is usually smaller at between 10–13 feet.
Leaves are a glossy dark green, tough and with a leathery texture, coated with a whitish fur underneath.
Flowers are white with a sweet scent and rather like large hawthorn blossom.
A Loquat flowers in late summer or autumn but only after a good warm summer, with the yellow fruit developing over winter and ripe fruit not produced until spring, although seldom ripening in the UK.
Fruit is at its ripest when it has turned orange and soft and tastes like a combination of peach, citrus and mild mango.
The beautiful foliage gives a tropical look to gardens and contrasts well with other plants.
Cultivation of the Loquat Tree
Easy to grow in mild climates the Loquat tree does best in a south or east facing sheltered position and requires well drained soil of either sand, clay, chalk or loam.
Pests & Diseases
A long lived tree and generally disease free.
Best Time for Pruning
Prune to shape for your landscape and remove any deadwood.
If you require the tree to be kept to a certain size, then it is best to prune frequently to prevent stubs and suckers that result from a single, severe pruning.
If you are unable to tackle the pruning yourself or just lack the time, then contact a qualified tree surgeon in your area.
A trusted tree surgeon will be happy to provide you with a free quotation.
Article was written by Karen Arnold.
Edited by Conner D on 01/07/2019.
Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/loquat-tree-eriobotya-japonica/
3 comments on “Loquat Tree – Eriobotya Japonica”
Dear Sir, I planted a Medlar tree 14 years ago it had fruit after 2 years, then 10 years ago I planted the seeds. The leaves of the resulting trees bare no resemblance to the parent tree; this week in October one of the trees has started to bloom and I realise it is a Loquat . I guess grafting must play a part in this but how can it be? regards Mrs Gay Seguro
Dear Mrs Gay Seguro
Thank you for reading our article. It does seem very strange. Is it possible that the seeds got mixed up as they were kept a long time? Grafting is a practice commonly used with fruit trees, it can be carried out in more than one way but usually done by “Whip grafting” using a woody branch or scion. Grafting is not something that can happen naturally or by accident, it is a horticultural technique that joins tissues of any two or more specimens.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
GraftinGardeners Team.
I grew two loquat seeds that are now about 7inch tall plants in separate pots indoors. Can I graft them together and plant out in the garden ?