Loquat Trees

Today I am in Lucedale, MS admiring this beautiful loquat tree that is producing fruit in the middle of winter. The loquat tree, also known as Japanese Plum, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to China, but now is widely grown in many countries around the world. The tree is prized for its attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and delicious fruit. One of the most striking features of the loquat tree is its dense and rounded canopy of glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves are simple, alternate, and lanceolate in shape, with a length of 4-10 inches and a width of 2-4 inches. The leaves are leathery and have prominent veins that run parallel to each other. They provide excellent shade and are highly ornamental, making the loquat tree an ideal choice for landscaping. In the late fall and early winter, the tree produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers. The flowers are highly fragrant and can be smelled from a distance. The fragrance attracts bees and other pollinators to the tree, which helps to ensure that the flowers are adequately pollinated and that the tree will produce a good crop of fruit. The small, round or oval-shaped fruit that measures about 1-2 inches in diameter has a thin, fuzzy skin that ranges from yellow to orange in color. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used to make jams, jellies, and other desserts. Loquats can be grown from zones 7 to 10, but obviously, because the fruit has to go through the winter, you are much more likely to get a harvest in central and southern Mississippi. I am Eddie Smith, and I will see you next time on Southern Gardening.