Is the loquat tree deciduous or evergreen? Let us take you through its growth habits

Loquat is a very common fruit; ripe loquat tastes sweet and is quite nutritious, so do you know whether loquat is deciduous or evergreen?

1. Is loquat deciduous or evergreen?

Loquat is an evergreen small tree, flowering from October to December, with terminal panicles, ripening in May to June of the following year, with spherical or oblong pome fruits, orange-yellow or orange-red.

2. The value of loquat

1. Edible value: Ripe loquat tastes sweet and is quite nutritious. According to relevant literature and the testing and certification results of authoritative departments, the leaves, fruit and kernels of loquat all contain amygdalin; loquat contains various fruit sugars, glucose, potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium as well as VA, VB, VC, etc., and its carotene content ranks 3rd among all fruits. Besides being eaten fresh, the loquat flesh can also be made into canned fruit in syrup or brewed into loquat wine.

2. Landscaping value: The loquat canopy is neat and attractive, and it can serve as a tree species for courtyard landscaping and scenic-area landscaping. At the same time, because the loquat tree has strong vitality, grows rapidly, provides good shade, tolerates pruning, has non-irritating pollen, sheds its leaves at the same time, and holds its fruit for a long time, it is an excellent tree species for road landscaping.

3. Ecological value: As a heat-reducing, carbon-sequestering plant, loquat shows outstanding ecological function among many garden plants, especially its strongest dust-retention capacity. It has a very good effect on conserving soil and water, beautifying the environment and improving ecological conditions. According to its application in some cities, the loquat tree performs well in dust-retention capacity, carbon-sequestration capacity, water use efficiency and cooling capacity. [5]

4. Cultural value: The loquat fruit contains a hard kernel, which is often used among the people as a symbol of health and longevity and prosperity of offspring; loquat trees are often planted together with pomegranate trees, carrying the beautiful implication of “many children and much blessing”; the loquat fruit is yellow like gold and is praised as the “golden pill”, symbolizing abundant wealth, so loquat trees are also often planted with citrus trees to express the wish of “bringing in wealth and treasure”; in garden scenery arrangement, loquat trees are also paired with ginkgo (white nut), implying praise and blessings for a “perfect match”. In greening and landscape creation, combining modern landscape with traditional culture is of great help in enhancing the cultural connotation of a region. Du Fu's poem “willow branches are weak one by one, loquats are fragrant pair by pair” vividly outlines the shape, color and taste of the loquat.

Loquat is a fruit with relatively high economic value and is very suitable for planting; friends who have the conditions can plant it as appropriate.