Loquat

Tree Stories --  Loquat 

“Location” is something we hear about when buying real estate. It also holds true for gardening. The recent icy onslaught decimated our landscapes despite our best efforts. Why did some plants perish while others of their kind survived? One deciding factor was likely their location. More about that later.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), also known as Japanese plum, is a small evergreen subtropical fruit tree that is familiar locally but uncommon outside of southern Texas. These attractive small trees can thrive in a range of well-drained soils, preferring full sun for growth and fruit production. Large, stiff, deep green leaves usually remain all year. When grown in the open, the tree is symmetrical, with a compact, dense crown, and a potential height of 25 feet. These characteristics have made the loquat an excellent specimen or accent in the home landscape.

Small, oval and downy fruits--related to apples and peaches--grow in clusters. They are yellow/orange when ripe and contain several dark brown seeds. Ripeness is best determined by tasting and fruit may be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. The pulp is sweet and juicy, eaten fresh and used to make jam, jelly and chutney. It is high in vitamins and minerals with potential anticancer properties as well. Parts of the tree have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Now back to the weather: These Asian immigrants are generally cold-hardy as low as 10 degrees F. However, flowers and fruit are killed by temperatures below 27. Galveston doesn’t often experience such low temperatures.

Loquats bloom in fall to early winter and fruits ripen in spring. Because of this, fruiting generally occurs locally only in mild winters. After the 20-degree low on February 16, it seemed certain that fruits on our local trees would have died in the Arctic blast.

So what happened to Island loquats during the winter storm? Leaves remained although many were brown-tinged by cold. Many of the fruits were indeed killed by the extreme temperature. But I found a few happy trees that brings us back to the issue of location. Location matters.

An example of this thrives in the accessible courtyard behind a business at 2701 Market. This good-sized loquat tree still has all its leaves as well as its undamaged fruit. Why is this? The tree lives in a sheltered location that shielded it from the coldest winds, with radiated heat from the ground and nearby buildings that likely helped warm the area and protect the fruit.

Planting tropical and subtropical plants on the Island is always a gamble. When planting, consider the survival needs of any tree you choose. In addition to sunlight, space and water, trees need varying degrees of protection from wind and cold. If you choose a variety that may be vulnerable to our unpredictable weather, take special care in placement and enjoy it while you can. Remember that trees are the anchors of our landscape. Choose and locate them wisely. And now go get your own loquat.

 “Tree Stories” is an ongoing series of articles about outstanding Island trees, tree care, and tree issues.  Margaret Canavan is a Galveston resident, a Galveston County Master Gardener, and a member of the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy Board.