Software
Houzz Logo Print
ashbycoop

Loquat Pruning advice please

9 years ago

We bought a Loquat tree. It's very small (see photo). It has 2 tops. Should it be pruned to just one ?

Comments (9)

  • 9 years ago

    not unless its a grafted tree and the sprout is below the graft union, if its a seedling, leave it alone and let it grow. No need to trim any wood from loquats unless its dead or dying wood.

  • 9 years ago

    I tasted several varieties where I purchased this one. I agree they are delicious! I was surprised at the difference in the varieties.

  • 9 years ago

    I am a big fan of loquats, searching for the the varieties that I like and also trying to grow a choice seedling from second generation sweet fruit tree. Hoping to get larger sized fruit.

    BTW, reducing water after fruit has reached full size, will allow sugars to concentrate and fruit to get sweeter.

    Small tees can be damaged by freezing temps, but these are resilient trees and the cold forces a slow down of fruit ripening and allows for tastier fruit IMHO. Next year I should be able to do a full comparison of 12 named grafted varieties and several seedlings... time will tell

    Katherine 10A thanked Ben(8b/9a north FL)
  • 9 years ago

    My loquat baby I dug up from under our huge loquat here on the property has gotten frostburn. I know it will be o.k., but it still makes me sad. I was hoping to plant it out this year, but maybe in the fall. The fruit on our big tree here is so sweet! I can't wait to see if this one produces fruit that sweet.

  • 9 years ago

    dirtygardener73, you can always try to graft and have fruits next year. ;-)

  • 9 years ago

    DG allow me to commiserate... all of my loquats had some damage as well. Problem with last freeze was that it happened late and all my trees had already put out new fresh growth... my peach trees also took a beating... bummer...

    Loquats are resilient, given a minimum of water, they will come back, the only one that died in my orchard is the one (Var Wolfe) that had a deer scrape most of the bark off, it had no temp protection and died after the first freeze... will have to replace it..

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Halyna - that is an excellent idea, but this one has such a thin trunk right now (still tiny) I don't think I could find a branch from the big one that is small enough to graft, but I'll keep it in mind.

    Ben, I'm sorry about your tree. Deer are destructive creatures, but they taste good. I used to put hardware cloth rings around my tree trunks when I lived in the country to keep the deer from eating the bark.

  • 9 years ago

    DG, if/when your seedling is ready to be grafted and you feel up to the task, you're welcome to get a scion from any of my grafted varieties. I can email you the list.

Sponsored
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!