Sugar Crisp Loquat Tree

Sugar Crisp Loquat

This little known variety that was selected by Jim Neitzel of Big Jim Loquat fame and is valued for its pure white flesh and extremely high sugar content. Sugar Crisp Loquat has won many a taste test and is sure to become a popular variety. Performs very well in California but we are still trialing it here in the Northwest.

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: Sugar Crisp Loquat likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Sugar Crisp is considered to be somewhat self fertile. Planting with another variety such as Big Jim, or a  Loquat Seedling increases fruit production especially in areas where winter cold can inhibit pollination.
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