What is it? What does it taste like? It looks wonderful.

Dusty

Ohhh, I want some! I love the Lychee tree's canopy!

Is there a Tropical Fruit chapter in South Florida?

Tropicalfreak

Dusty---Lychees are a delicious fruit. They are sweet with a firm flesh. I can't describe it any other way. Perhaps someone else can come up with some other adjectives.

Wanda---Since the lychee trees are cold sensitive, I bet they will grow just fine in your area. I personally think that 'Brewster' is one of the best tasting. The 'Sweet Cliff' lychee fruits that I was able to get aren't as sweet. They have a strong longan flavor to them. Longans are a relative to the lychees but are somewhat more cold tolerant. But, during severe cold snaps I have to protect mine.

Tropicalfreak---We don't have any chapters but there are several clubs farther south called Rare Fruits... I will look into that for you.

Christine

Did you happen to save any seeds of the Brewster? Would I be able to grown one from seed?

Dusty

I know I could grow one but have never gotten one, for one reason or the other. We have a place called the Lychee tree nursery here. Why haven't I gone? Never had the $$.
The taste to me is like a grape, sweet but not as meaty.
Glad you got some Lychee's up in your area.

Here you go Cliff. They meet at the Extention Office I believe. One of our Vet subs belongs and was trying to talk me into going.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rare fruit Council

Dusty---Lychee trees are started by air layers and cuttings. You don't want a seedling.

Wanda---Unfortunately, the tree is in Windermere, an hours drive south from where I live. The tree is located near a large chain of lakes that provide a good microclimate for the tree. Even so, the tree had to be protected from the cold many winters long ago.

coffeemom---Thanks for finding the link for the Rare Fruit Council. There is also another Fruit Society located near Tampa.

Christine

What temperatures can both,lychee's and longan's,trees take?
I'm always looking for some fruit trees to add to my property and I love the taste of lychee's.
That is a beautiful tree. The pictures look as if this was a real festival. Looks like fun.
Felix

Felix, a mature lychee can take around 26F or so, my sub-adult Sweetheart lychee tree took 28F quite well. I harvested a few fruit for the first time this year, excellent tasting.

Felix---Several years ago I bought a longan tree because I like lychees so much that I wanted the next best thing since the lychees are so cold sensitive. It was planted in a microclimate area of my yard. I did protect the tree when it was very young and during this past winter's hard freeze. My husband cleared out the woodsy area that provided protection in order to make room for our chicken coup and fenced run for them. I may have to protect it from now on, we'll see. The good news is that the tree is getting a lot more sun so it is growing better.

If you do get a lychee see if you can find a protected area of your yard. It really makes a difference. If I remember right, I think that you live in the Orlando area?

Christine

Felix
I have a Lychee tree in my front yard. I did not protect it this past winter. It is alive and well. It is exposed to wind and all the elements. It is 2 years old now.
If you have an Oriental market nearby, you can find Lychee trees and fruit for a good price. We always go there to get the sticky rice for bargain price. Do not get the Durian fruit!lol
Silvia