Top it. If you don't, it will eventually branch, but you won't be able to reach the fruit. I would cut it back to about 4 feet, then cut back every shoot to about 6" when it gets about 8" long. That way, it will grow out thicker instead of taller. Unless you want it tall, then just cut out the top third and let it grow a tall trunk. It's up to you, but I always liked to keep mine short so I could harvest it. When I moved into my house, mine was about 15 feet tall. I got out the chain saw and cut it back to three feet and trained it into a shrub. Much easier to harvest that way.

Yes cut it. I have one which is over 20 ft. I'll have to call a tree service in to deal with it. I am addicted to the fruit and now can't reach any of them. Mine is full of fruit, feeding the birds and racoons!

Jane.

If that were a "shade tree" or something along those lines, I'd be shouting in all caps-do not top it! But the desire to harvest fruit more easily etc. makes this a different case. If you did happen to cut the top, just beyond a set of leaves, you will get two stems going from the point of the cut....and then so on. I'm less well-educated on fruit tree management...so no yelling this morning, lol!

Bea, Tom's advice is good, most of my fruit trees are cut so I can harvest the fruit. I don't have a loquat anymore because the fruit is not good for my pets.

When I got mine was probably 7 ft tall and rootbound, I have seen some loquat trees in the area that were not cut and broke in a windstorm so having them trimmed often is good.

The varieties that I sampled in Europe were of a better taste and bigger fruit, but after I bought apricots and loquats at the same time in Nice, they look the same size but I do prefer apricots after the taste.:)

My loquat tree in February...

Silvia

I cut it. It looks so little now :) I don't know if it's possible for the cut stem to root but I'm giving it a try. Will let you know.