Yehuda Loquat Tree
A superb cultivar that has been around for quite a while, this is one of our favorites due to its incredible tropical sweet flavor. When perfectly ripe its flavor is similar to a mango. The skin is a bit thick on Yehuda so it’s one that is best peeled. It has also proven a fairly reliable producer here in Portland, with even young plants producing fruit after cold winters.
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