Loquat Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl Rosaceae

Species description Loquats are subtropical, upright, and erect evergreen trees. The leaves are long, alternate, simple, and coarsely dentate with a shiny upper surface and a lower surface covered in fine, soft hairs. In autumn and early winter, numerous small, white flowers are borne on the ends of the branch tips. Loquat fruit is oblong to globe-shaped, white to yellow in color, succulent and fleshy like an apricot, and each have one to eight smooth, large seeds.

Natural and cultural history The loquat is native to China and spread to Japan over 2,000 years ago. Some primitive types of the tree still occur in Japan. Loquats have since become naturalized in India and other areas of Asia. The loquat is adapted to a subtropical to mild-temperature climate. Where the climate is too cool, or excessively warm and moist, the tree is grown as an ornamental but will not bear fruit. Chinese immigrants are thought to have carried loquats to Hawaii. The tree was common as a small-fruited ornamental in California in the 1870's, and the improved variety, Giant, was for sale in nurseries by 1887. Loquats are now produced commercially in many countries, including China, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, Israel, Turkey and Brazil.

Planting considerations and propagation techniques Loquat trees easily reach 20-30 feet height and span 15-20 feet in width. The trees are long-lived, and may bear fruit for ninety years. Well- established trees can take a temperature drop to 12ºF; the killing temperature for the flower buds is about 19° F, and for the mature flowers, about 26° F. Loquats are wind tolerant and grow in full sun or partial shade. Extreme summer heat may be detrimental to the crop, and dry, hot winds can cause leaf scorch. In China, where it is native, the loquat tree grows from 3,000-7,000 feet in elevation in China. Loquats can grow in a variety of soil types, from light sand to heavy clay, and need good drainage. Seedling varieties are used for ornamentals and rootstock. Loquat scions can be grafted onto apples, pears, and quinces, although these other fruits prefer temperate climates.

Water needs Loquat trees are subtropical and require frequent, deep irrigate throughout the year.

Care Loquat trees are resistant to most diseases and insect damage, though they may be susceptible to scale, insects, fruit flies and birds. Commercial orchards often bag the fruit to prevent damage. Fireblight can attack flower clusters, although the disease will seldom kill the entire tree. To control fireblight, immediately prune out dead or dying twigs, fruit, and flower clusters. Cut well into the live wood, burn the prunings, and disinfect pruning tools. We recommend pruning only enough to shape the tree to fit into your landscape or garden.

Harvesting and processing Loquat fruits should be allowed to ripen fully before harvesting. When ripe, the fruit develops a distinctive orange color, depending on the cultivar, and begins to soften. The fruits can be eaten fresh and used to make jam, jelly and chutney; they are delicious poached in light syrup.

References and resources California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG). 1997. https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/loquat.html Janick, J. and R. Paull. 2008. The Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts. CAB International, Oxfordshire, pp 642-651. Morton, J. 1987. Loquat. p. 103–108. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/loquat.html Plants for a Future (PFAF). n.d. Eriobotrya japonica - (Thunb.)Lindl. http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Eriobotrya+japonica

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