Ziziphus jujuba

Ziziphus jujuba is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m by 7 m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well-drained. Prefers an open loam and a hot dry position. Succeeds in an alkaline soil. Plants are fast growing, even in poor soils. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. Another report says that they are hardy to about -30°c when fully dormant. The jujube is often cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. The trees need a hot dry summer if they are to fruit well, which rather restricts their potential in a country like Britain. The tree spreads by root suckers and self-sowing, often forming dense thickets. Where the climate suits it, the plant can escape from cultivation and become an invasive and problematic weed. Trees are resistant to most pests and diseases. Responds well to coppicing. Trees form a deep taproot and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Fast growing and quick to mature, it can fruit in 3 - 4 years from seed. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base . The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down . The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant .