Loquat Tree

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Loquat Tree

• Byhttp//treesz.com/loquat-tree

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• Loquats, 'Eriobotrya japonica,' are documented to
  have been grown in Japan around 1100 AD. Some
  botanists have suggested that the first plantings
  of the loquat trees may have come from China
  originally and later were introduced into Japan.
  The loquat tree was widely distributed in Europe
  after 1712, but early records show that it came
  to the United States in the mid-1800's.

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• This prolific plant is now established firmly as
  a seed-borne naturalized fruit tree in hundreds
  of countries, even in the Southern United States,
  where it readily grows after the seed sprout from
  bird-planted visitations after eating the loquat
  fruit directly from the trees.

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• Loquat fruit in the South is most commonly known
  as the "Japanese Plum," but in Texas its less
  common name is the "Chinese Plum." The loquat
  tree when mature can grow 35 feet tall however,
  the soft wood in the limbs and trunk will
  self-prune the tree to lower heights after
  experiencing the heavy weight of huge fruit
  crops. Most plant parts of the loquat tree are
  covered with fuzzy little hairs except on the
  trunk of the tree, where they are replaced by
  smooth bark.

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• The loquat fruit itself is covered with these
  fuzzy little hairs much like the fuzz on the skin
  of a peach. The fruit of the loquat is bright
  yellow on the skin and the pulp on the inside.
  Some rare cultivars originating from Japan may
  develop an orange skin and a white pulp. Inside
  the pulp is a 2-3 cluster of large brown seeds
  that are easily removed from the edible,
  interior, tasty layers of the loquat. The fruit
  size of loquats is 2 ½ inches or less and the
  shape and taste is similar to that of a kumquat
  fruit, perhaps a little less acidic and sweeter
  than a mature kumquat.

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• The delicious, juicy taste of the loquat fruit
  rivals any common fruit, and preserved jams is a
  treat to be remembered when eaten on hot buttered
  toast. Because of the fuzzy skin surrounding the
  loquat fruit, many gardeners prefer to peel off
  the fuzz before eating fresh or before preserving
  to use in pies or gourmet dishes.

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• The leaves of a mature loquat tree vary
  considerably in size, usually ranging from six to
  twelve inches in length and the dark-green waxy
  leaves are prominently bisected with recessed
  leaf veins. In the fall around Thanksgiving
  holidays, the loquat tree loads itself with
  clusters of one inch white flowers, which are
  extremely fragrant and especially pleasing when
  trees are planted near patio entertainment
  centers. The loquat fruit can begin to ripen in
  South Georgia as early as February and March and
  in an extended ripening period, depending on the
  weather, the loquat may continue to ripen into
  June.

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• The loquat has been designated on some websites
  as only capable of producing fruit in areas south
  of Jacksonville, Florida, but this is incorrect.
  Loquats produce fruit reliably every year
  throughout Southern Georgia and coastal areas up
  to North Carolina. The loquat trees have survived
  low temperatures of zero degrees Fahrenheit in
  Georgia, and have returned to fruit later. The
  roots of a loquat tree are shallow and the soft
  tissue grows rapidly to establish a vigorous
  system.

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Loquat Tree

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