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The Daily Insight

How big do quince trees get?

Author

David Jones

Published May 28, 2026

How big do quince trees get?

Planted in open ground, it’s not a first choice for the smallest garden as, depending on rootstock and soil conditions, it can grow anywhere from around 10 feet (3 meters) to 20 feet (6 meters) tall.

How long does it take a quince tree to produce fruit?

A quince tree can reasonably be expected to start bearing fruit when it reaches 5-6 years in age.

Are there different types of quince?

Most varieties of quince are cultivars of the species Cydonia oblonga. One of these is ‘Orange,’ and it produces a round, very fragrant fruit with an orange-tinted flesh. This is one of the softer quince fruits, so if you want to try eating quince raw, this is the way to go.

How fast do quince trees grow?

The tree should come into bearing in 2-3 years after planting; the lifespan of the tree is indefinite, often outlasting it’s owners. There are two distinct shapes when it comes to the fruit of the Quince. Some varieties are shaped like an apple and others have the outline of a Pear.

How do you know if a quince is ripe?

Determining Ripeness A fully ripe quince turns completely yellow at maturity. The fruit also develops a strong sweet fragrance once it’s fully ripe. The fruit also easily snaps off the tree once mature, so if the fruit begin to fall on their own, they are ripe and possibly approaching over-ripeness.

What does a quince fruit tree look like?

Quince trees have light green foliage. The wide, sizable leaves are silver on the bottom, with a fuzzy texture. They typically grow to lengths of about 4 inches. Some quince tree leaves are shaped similarly to eggs, while others are shaped more like elongated ellipses.

Do quince trees need a lot of water?

The entire root system of your quince tree should be soaked twice a week to avoid this (especially during the first year). At least 1 inch of water each week is necessary to promote optimal growth and fruit production.

How do you take care of a quince tree?

Quince trees have some drought tolerance, but you should water them during prolonged dry spells as part of your routine quince care. It is hard to overwater a quince tree, so water them any time if you are in doubt. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring.

Is quince a tree or bush?

Quince, (Cydonia oblonga), a small tree or shrub of the rose family (Rosaceae), grown for its edible fruit. Quince is the only member of the genus Cydonia and is native to Iran, Turkey, and possibly Greece and the Crimean Peninsula.

How do you identify a quince fruit?

The quince (/ˈkwɪns/; Cydonia oblonga) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a tree fruit that bears a deciduous pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and is bright golden-yellow when mature.

Does quince ripen off tree?

Quince will ripen off the tree, so don’t worry if you’re a little bit early. When to submit a pick request: We’ll need some advance notice to schedule your pick, so please submit a fruit pick request 3-5 days before your fruit is ready. A good time to do this is when the quince are a very pale green, almost yellow.

Can you grow more than one variety of quince?

Consider growing more than one quince tree and more than one variety. While quince trees are capable of self-pollination, they produce more fruit when they are cross-pollinated. Start your quince trees. Quinces are often propagated from hardwood cuttings.

What do the flowers look like on a quince tree?

Its renaissance is long overdue. The tree itself is full of character, tending to grow into an irregular shape with twisted branches. Its flowers, which appear in June, are single, large and pinky-white.

When do quince trees start to bear fruit?

Quince trees are self fertile, have big, showy, white blossoms in late spring and clear yellow leaf color each fall. Very large, bright yellow fruit ripens in October and can hang like lanterns on the tree. Widely adapted and disease-resistant; now you can rediscover what your grandmother valued about this hard-to-find fruit! USDA Zones 5-9.

Are there any quince trees for sale in the UK?

Even though you can find quince trees for sale in the UK, it is very rare to find quince fruit in our markets and the best way to ensure your supply is to grow your own Cydonia Oblonga. So, which Quince variety should you choose for your garden?

What kind of tree is a quince tree?

Quince, Cydonia oblonga, is a bush-like deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae grown for its edible fruits. The tree has crowded, gnarled branches and a crooked growth habit. The leaves have a smooth upper surface and hairy lower surface. The tree produces single white-light pink colored flowers on tiny shoots and a large, fragrant, pome fruit.

When is the best time to harvest a quince tree?

Harvesting Quince fruits should be harvested when they are mature but not full ripe. Fruits will continue to ripen off of the tree and by harvesting in this manner, losses from fruit dropping from the tree are reduced. Fruit should be cut from the tree using a sharp knife as pulling them can cause damage to the skin.

What do you need to know about propagation of quince?

Propagation Quince trees are usually propagated from hardwood cuttings or by budding onto a quince rootstock. Seeds can be grown but will not breed true to type and should not be used for commercial purposes where fruit quality is very important.

Are there any problems with quince trees in the UK?

Unfortunately quince leaf blight is a growing problem in the UK. Quince trees are also highly susceptible to fireblight which is an extremely serious and virulent disease which can kill trees. Fortunately the cooler conditions in the UK do not favour the disease which is relatively rare here.