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jujube

Member profile details

PLANT PROFILE SHEET PDF

http://leafnetworkaz.org:80/resources/PLANT%20PROFILES/Jujube_profile.pdf

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

jujube

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Ziziphus jujuba Mill.

Family

Rhamnaceae

Spanish Name

jujube

Species Description

Small, deciduous tree with rough bark; branches bear curved spines at each node. Leaves glossy, dark green with three conspicuous longitudinal veins, margins finely toothed. Roots produce shoots that may form a thicket over time. Small, perfect flowers borne on leaf axis of deciduous branches. Fruit somewhat spongy, spherical to plum-shaped to elongated, dark red to brown, contain single seed.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Introduced to Arizona

Natural Range

Indigenous and widely distributed in arid regions of China. Trees have naturalized on many continents.

Natural Habitat

Grows best in areas with hot summers, though can handle cold winters.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Jujube likely originated in southern Asia, perhaps as early at 9000 BCE. Cultivated for at least 4,000 years in China. Over 400 cultivars. First introduced in Texas in 1875.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Tree

Tree or Understory

Tree

Other Growth Characteristics

Thorns / Spines

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

10-15 feet

Tree Height

20-40 feet

Lifespan

100+ years

Years to Bearing, if nursery tree is 1-2 years old; grafted

3 years

Chill Hours

50-450 hours, though some cultivars require up to 700 hours

Freeze Tolerance

Frost-tolerant, hardy to at least -10 degrees F

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Warm to hot summer, full sun, and plenty of water will give the highest yields though can be very drought tolerant; forms thickets easily and may be used as a hedge or a windbreak to protect other trees. Also used as shade tree, or pollinator attractant.

Elevation Range

Wide range

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

HIGH MOUNTAIN: Flagstaff - USDA Zone 6b (-5ºF-0ºF)
HIGH PLATEAU, MOUNTAIN: Prescott, Tuba City, Winslow, Page - USDA Zones 7a-7b (0ºF-10ºF)
HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)
MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)
LOW DESERT: Phoenix, Lake Havasu City, Yuma - USDA Zones 9b-10a (25-35ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Medium: 20-35 inches / year

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

2 X Month in Growing Season

Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs

Trees are extremely drought tolerant, but if soils are well drained, they may also live in areas of high moisture or rainfall.

CARE

Pollination

While many are self-pollinating, yields likely higher with cross-pollination. Flowers are insect pollinated.

Soils

Jujube can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions.

Propagation

Jujube spreads easily by root suckers and seed, and may produce a thicket if left unchecked. To propagate by seed, remove stones from fruit and dry for several weeks. Extract seeds by clipping stones open with shears. Before planting, soak seeds for two days in several changes of fresh water and stratify in moist sand or peat at 5 degrees C for 60 days. Plant in warm, moist, well-drained soil. Softwood cuttings may be rooted under mist. Avoid deciduous cuttings, which will not establish permanent shoots. May be grafted or budded, similar to apples. A common technique is to graft cultivars onto less-prolifically sprouting rootstock.

Pest & Disease Control

No known insect or disease problems.

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

The jujube can be eaten fresh, dried, made into sauce, fruit butter, jams or jellies, smoked, cooked or baked as apples or dates. Alcohol may be made from fermented pulp. Harvest fruit from mid-summer until the end of the growing season. Fresh fruit does not keep well (about a week), but dried fruits can last for months in a cool, dry environment.

Harvest Months

October
November

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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PO Box 65122, Phoenix, Arizona 85082-5122

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.