Flowering Quince Trees

Description

• The quince tree grows to heights of between 15 and 20 feet, usually. The width of the tree is about 12 to 18 feet. The flowering tree produces five-petaled flowers that are either light pink, white or close to white in color. The plants bloom in the middle of the spring up until the beginning of the summer every year. The tree produces fruit that, when immature, is green. Upon maturity, the fruit (which is shaped similarly to the pear) turns bright yellow and is strongly fragrant. The alternate, smooth and simple foliage is covered with fuzzy white hairs. The oval-shaped leaves are about 2 1/2 to 4 inches long.

Cultivation

• Quince trees are hardy in the USDA's (United States Department of Agriculture) zones of 5 to 8. The trees grow best under light shade, in soil that is mildly acidic. Regular watering is necessary for quince trees, although it is important to not water them excessively. Quince trees can be propagated by a variety of different methods, which include air layering, seed and softwood cuttings.

Culinary Uses

• The quince fruit is commonly grown for an array of food purposes. The fruits can be stewed, baked and roasted. Some popular applications for the quince include the flavoring of confections and apple pies. In areas that are tropical and temperate, the fruits often are juicy and soft, and therefore beneficial for raw consumption. However, in cooler regions, the fruits do not ripen as much and generally require cooking. In some nations (including Spain, France, Chile and Argentina), quince paste is a common food. The fruit is also rich in pectin, which makes sure that any jellies made with them easily set.

Problems

• In general, the trees are free of problems such as diseases and pests. However, the trees occasionally can be afflicted by diseases such as fire blight, leaf blight and brown rot. Pests that can be problematic include the Oriental fruit moth and the codling moth.