Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

What Does a Quince Tree Look Like?

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ken Bosma

In the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and Greece, the quince tree's fruit was important. In Colonial America, almost every middle-class family had a quince tree. But in the United States today, quince trees--scientific name Cydonia oblonga--and their fruit are far less popular.

Size and Shape

Quince plants can be grown as shrubs or as trees, reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet. Their branches are gnarled and twisted.

Leaves and Flowers

Quince leaves can be broad at the base and narrow at the tip, or they can be oblong. They usually measure about 2 inches wide by 4 inches long. The tree produces white-petaled flowers that measure about 2 inches in diameter.

Fruit

Unlike its relatives the apple and the pear, the quince tends to be hard and bitter and is usually cooked rather than eaten raw. Many jams, jellies and preserves are made from quince.

  • Quince plants can be grown as shrubs or as trees, reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet.

Varieties

Varieties of quince tree include Pineapple, Orange, Smyrna, and Van Deman. Each variety produces fruit of a slightly different shape, size and hue.

Harvesting

In California, quince of different varieties are harvested mainly in September and October.

Related Articles

Varieties of Almond Trees
Varieties of Almond Trees
What Weed Killer Kills Buckthorn?
What Weed Killer Kills Buckthorn?
How to Identify Peach Tree Varieties
How to Identify Peach Tree Varieties
Fruit Trees in the Midwest
Fruit Trees in the Midwest
Self-Pollinating Cherry Trees That Do Well in Southern California
Self-Pollinating Cherry Trees That Do Well in Southern...
What Is the Correct pH Level for a Peach Tree?
What Is the Correct pH Level for a Peach Tree?
How to Identify a Persimmon Tree
How to Identify a Persimmon Tree
Ayers Pear Tree Information
Ayers Pear Tree Information
List of Deciduous Fruit Trees
List of Deciduous Fruit Trees
How to Identify Different Plum Trees
How to Identify Different Plum Trees
Crabapple Tree Identification
Crabapple Tree Identification
How Fast Do Crabapple Trees Grow?
How Fast Do Crabapple Trees Grow?
Evergreen Fruit Trees
Evergreen Fruit Trees
Garden Guides
×