Obusa Seedling Loquat Tree
These are seedlings of Obusa loquat that were pollinated by other selected clones. These are not grafted or clonally produced Obusa trees, but we do plan on producing grafted Obusa trees in the near future. Obusa was introduced to the Hawaiian islands (where our seeds came from) in the 1990s and is thought to be a cross between Tanaka and Kusunoki. Fruits are deep yellow and quite large, and perhaps most exciting for us here in Oregon, it is supposed to be a late flowering variety. Seedlings will be similar to the parent tree and its pollen parent but not identical, but expect fruit quality on these to be much better than your average loquat seedling.
A strikingly beautiful, small to medium size evergreen tree, Loquats feature long, dark green, deeply toothed foliage and tasty, light orange, apricot-like fruit. Loquat is very happy in the Maritime Northwest, although its pesky habit of blooming in the winter makes it difficult to produce fruit in our region, though planting more than one plant as well as providing habitat for over wintering hummingbirds that pollinate the loquat flowers greatly increases chances of fruit. Loquat’s ornamental value makes it well worth growing and, depending on the winter weather, you should occasionally receive a crop of this unusual and delicious fruit.
Latin Name: Eriobotrya japonica
Site and Soil: Loquats like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: This tree is self-fertile
Hardiness: This Seedling is hardy to 0º F. or below.
Bearing Age: 3-5 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft, up to 30 ft. with great age if left unpruned
Bloom Time: December – February
Ripening Time: Early summer
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: This tree is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 7
Sunset Western Zone: 6-24, H1, H2