Growth Zone for Japanese Plum Trees

Hardiness Zones

• The Japanese plum tree (Eriobotrya japonica), also called a loquat, thrives in U.S. Agriculture Department Hardiness Zones 8a through 11, an area that encompasses tropical and subtropical regions of the country in addition to most coastal areas in warmer states. The tree can grow in colder regionsm but the fruit is unlikely to set. It is also not ideal for the New Orleans area because of the exceptionally wet soil of southern Louisiana.

Fruiting Growth Zones

• The ideal growth zone for the Japanese plum tree -- a member of the Rosaceae family -- depends on whether the gardener wants the tree to produce fruit. While mature specimens can withstand temperatures of as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, flowers and fruit will die if the temperature drops below 27 degrees F. In southern locales, the Japanese plum blooms in late fall or early winter, with the fruit maturing over the course of the winter months.

Height

• States like Texas and Florida will only experience ideal growth of Japanese plum fruit in their extreme southern zones. A native of China, the loquat is an evergreen tree that achieves its best growth when planted in a space that enjoys partial shade; in such an area, it will grow to a height of between 25 and 30 feet. When planted in full sunshine, its height diminishes to a maximum of 15 feet.

Soil

• The perfect growth zone for the Japanese plum also depends on the soil in which it is planted. It demands well-drained soil with a high pH level. The tree will tolerate clay soil as long as the loquat is planted on a slope that will allow water to drain away from the specimen. It survives occasional drought but typically only lives a maximum of 20 to 30 years. As a result, it should not be considered a permanent fixture in any landscape.