We have had a a loquat tree in our backyard for 6 years and it's still now fruiting?

Question

We have a large loquat tree in our backyard that is still not fruiting. For the past couple of years it has given a small cluster of fruits (about 3 or 4) but they are tiny and soon die. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

It could be the cultivar.  Some loquat trees don't produce good quality fruit. However, you could try thinning the flowers and young fruits in the cluster. This is sometimes done to enhance fruit size.

Answer 2

You don't say where you live.  If you're in a climate that is too cool or excessively warm and moist it ,may have been sold as an ornamental tree.

After what would be the normal harvest, prune it, especially the shoots.  Prune any branches that cross each other and where the growth is dense.  They do well even when severely pruned.

If you haven't fertilized, try a light application of organic nitrogen fertilizers on a regular basis.

On the other hand, if you have fertilized, the tree might have gotten too much nitrogen which will inhibit flowering.

If your loquat is of the "Golden Yellow" variety, it is not self fertile.  "Pale Yellow", "Tanaka" and "Advance" varieties are partially self fertile varieties.  Cross pollinate?

It might also be that your elevation level is too low.  They do well between 3,000' and 6,900' elevation levels but not so good at levels lower than 3,000'.

Hope this helps!