Medlar Tree
A small tree cultivated since ancient times, this unusual fruit tree is harvested in Winter and is eaten raw or in a variety of dishes. The fruit is ready when it is ‘bletted’, meaning browned.
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General Plant Information
Medlar tree
The Medlar tree is small and has a history dating back to ancient times. This particular tree produces an abundance of small fruit which is ready for consumption when “bletted.” This means that the fruit has to turn brown, due to microbial activity, preferably on the tree. Desirable conditions for bletting are locations where there is moisture and cold temperatures. The fruit is usually ready for harvest during the late Fall season. However, often the fruits are picked early when firm. Prepare the fruit by storing between water absorbent material like hay, saw dust, or peat moss. Place in the refrigerator to help increase microbial activity until the fruit becomes perfectly bletted.
Medlar trees grow wildly in Europe and Asia. In Iran, the fruits, leaves, bark and wood of the tree are used as medicines for ailments.
The Medlar tree does well near the Coast. Plant them in Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Agoura Hills and in San Diego. Special care is needed when planted inland such as Los Angeles. Plant the tree where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade, and provide supplemental water to simulate the coast.
Mature Size and Form
Citrus Tree Size and Spacing – Height and Width
In the home orchard, plant trees about 12 feet apart, and trim your citrus trees to keep them between 8 – 15 feet tall. In a commercial farm, trees are spaced 15 feet apart with 20 feet rows are machinery. These trees grow to 25 feet tall. Trees can become almost 40 feet tall in nature.
Citrus Tree Form – Standard, and Semi-Dwarf Citrus Trees
Standard citrus trees have a single trunk and grow to with the canopy raised above the ground.
Semi-Dwarf trees grow like a bush with a canopy near the ground and no single trunk. Semi-dwarf trees are easier to harvest and can be used as a privacy hedge when planted close together.
Additional Information
Harvest Time : WinterSun Exposure : Partl Sun and Shade
Bloom Color : White
Bloom Time : Summer
Plant Type: Deciduous
Chill Hours: Less 100 hours below 45°F
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10
Pollination: Self-Fruitful / Self Pollinating
Planting Information
Soil and Planting: Plant in soil that drains well. Dig a hole that is as deep as the tree’s roots and at least twice as wide.
Place the tree in the hole and backfill around the plant’s roots with a mixture of the native soil and high-quality planting mix that has washed sand and organic fertilizer.
Create a basin around the roots drip zone so that water collects. Water deeply until the roots and nearby soil is saturated and reaches field capacity.
Plant Care Information
How To Water - Frequency and Duration to Irrigate
Newly planted trees should be watered regularly to establish well. The frequency of irrigation and quantity of water mainly depends on the season of the year, soil type, and size/age of the tree.
Frequency to water
Discontinue watering in the Winter while the tree is dormant.
Begin to water weekly as the tree breaks bud and leafs out in the Spring.
Increase the frequency of water to twice per week in the Spring.
Water 2-3 times per week during the hot Summer months.
Reduce irrigation frequency to 1-2 times per week in the Fall.
Stop watering your tree in the Winter while it is dormant.
You may need to water sandy soils more frequently but less quantity because of sand’s lower water holding capacity.
Water Duration – Quantity of water
Drip System – 30- 60 minutes
Sprinkler – 15 – 25 minutes
PVC Bubbler – 5 – 7 minutes
Hose – Flood the trees watering well until the soil surrounding the tree’s roots reaches field capacity.
Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition
Fruit trees and edible plants need nutrients to grow. This is called fertilizer and it comes in different forms. Use organic manure, bone meal, blood meal, and humus based fertilizers. Apply fertilizers like manure along with a bone meal, humus based phosphorus fertilizer (1-2-2) NPK ratio in the late Winter, right before spring growth. Reapply with organic high nitrogen (2-1-1) or fertilizers with a 1-1-1 NPK as directed by the label during the Spring and Summer growing season. Do not fertilize in the Fall, new growth at this time will be thin, lanky, and weak.
Winter Pruning and Summer Thinning
Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excess fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. If the plant provides an overly large quantity of fruits for that branch, reduce the quantity of fruit so that what remains grows larger. This will also prevent broken limbs. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.
Harvesting and Pest Management
The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use an organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.
Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.
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Compatibility
The two factors that determine if a deciduous fruit trees will grow well and produce fruit in a certain area are the Chill Hour Requirement and the Cold Hardiness. “Chill hours” are the amount of cold a deciduous fruit tree need to produce fruit. This is measured in the number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit a plant must experience during its winter dormancy. Paradise Nursery only grows Low Chill fruit trees that meet the chill requirements of all areas of the United States.
The second factor is Cold Hardiness. Cold Hardiness refers to the minimum temperature a plant can tolerate. The USDA’s Cold Hardiness Zones indicate the average minimum winter temperatures of areas. Based on the shipping zipcode, our website will only allow you to add plants to your cart that grow within your USDA Hardiness Zone, and tolerate your climate.
Pollination & Propagation
(Grafting/Cutting) Most of Paradise Nursery’s edible plants are self-fruitful. Self-pollinating trees do not require an additional tree to produce fruit. For your convenience, we have indicated which trees require a pollinator, and their associated pollinators. Only the sweet cherries, avocados, and some plums require a pollinator. All of our other propagated edible plants do not require a pollinator. All of our edible plants are either grown from cuttings, budded, or grafted. This way, we can ensure that our plants are high quality and fruit immediately. Plants will generally begin fruiting within a year of planting.