Jujube Quality Whitetails Article - Transferred from QDMA forum

[yoderjac]

Has anyone else read the article on Jujube trees in the Dec Quality Whitetails? Does anyone on this forum have any personal experience with them?
Thanks,
Jack

 

[yoderjac]

I planted some this spring. They grew faster than any oaks or fruit trees I've ever planted. They were about 3" tall when I got them this spring, and they got to about 3 ft this summer with massive root systems. They even bloomed later in the summer but didn't set any fruit. My neighbor has one that is probably 5 years old and it's about 25 feet tall, and made a lot of fruit this year.

Mind sharing which nursery you got them from?

 

[yoderjac]

Yes, the nursery would be helpful. Also questions for anyone with experience with these;
- The article talked a bit about deer use of the fruit, but I'd be interested to hear what others think.
- The article did not talk about deer browsing the stems and foliage. I'm wondering what kind of protection these trees need compared to more traditional fruit trees. More? Less? The same?
- The article did a good job about talking about different varieties, but I'll like to hear personal experiences along this line as well.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[yoderjac]

I read it a few days ago and am definitely intrigued. I am definitely wanting to plant some this spring. Doing a little web research on them right now, if I come up with any good links I'll post them.

qdmohio - your private message box is full and won't let me send you a message until it is emptied.
I am also interested in this tree.
I believe we have spoke before and our properties are close. If we can get a discount on a larger purchase of trees count me in.
We can meet up somewhere and divy them up.
Thanks,
Don
deerhunter1

I have no experience with JJ....but have noted their availability and description at Raintree Nursery, in Washington state.
You can google Raintree. They have a substantial internet business.

I got mine from Oikos Tree Crops in Michigan.
http://oikostreecrops.com/store/product.asp?P_ID=597&PT_ID=119&strPageHistory=cat
These are "species" Jujubes, not improved varieties. The two major improved varieties are Li and Lang. The improved varieties have larger and better tasting fruit (so I've read...no experience with them). The unimproved trees have fruit that's about the size of a duck egg or golf ball. They have a soft/crunchy texture like a slightly over-ripe apple and sortof bland but semi-sweet flavor.
I don't know yet about deer preferrence for the fruit or browse.

 

[yoderjac]

I had a short email conversation with one of the authors of the article, David Osborn. He tells me that deer will browse and damage young trees and they need the same kind of protection from deer for a few years as other fruit trees. He says that by year 3 or 4, their main branches should be out of browse range for deer.
He also warns: Never spray jujubes with dormant oil like you do with apples and pears, it can kill them.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[yoderjac]

Figured I'd add this site to the discussion, stumbled across it while looking for persimmons.
http://www.nuttrees.net/index.html
Just click on "fruit trees" on the left side of the screen and then "jujubes"

Definitely I need look into these.

 

[yoderjac]

I'm hoping to plant a few of them this spring just to see how they do in my area.

 

[yoderjac]

I ordered 5 trees, for Central Texas area. I will update as they go along.

http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Wildlife+Plants
I don't have any experience with them but here is a link with a lot of wildlife trees.

A place to check out just about any nursery. I linked to the page on Willis, but you can look up just about anyone.
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/6348/

 

[yoderjac]

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