{"product_id":"emperor-lychee-tree","title":"Emperor Lychee Tree","description":"\u003ch1\u003eEmperor Lychee Tree – Air-Layered\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct description\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBring a special summer treat to your garden with \u003cstrong\u003eEmperor Lychee Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e. Known for notably large fruit, Emperor offers the pleasure of peeling a textured red shell to reveal juicy, translucent white flesh. Enjoy the fruit fresh and chilled, or use the peeled flesh in fruit salads and frozen desserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur Emperor Lychee trees are propagated by air layering to preserve the named variety.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore available trees at \u003cstrong\u003eThe Island Gardeners\u003c\/strong\u003e, with Palm Bay pickup near Melbourne, Florida, and nationwide shipping to eligible destinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow Emperor lychee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge fruit that can reach approximately golf-ball size under favorable conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAir-layered to preserve the Emperor variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn attractive evergreen addition to an edible landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA slower, more compact growth habit than many lychee selections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA summer harvest to include in your food forest plans.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and other names\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe botanical name is \u003cstrong\u003eLitchi chinensis 'Emperor'\u003c\/strong\u003e. Lychee is also spelled litchi or leechee and belongs to the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. The species originates in southern China and Southeast Asia. Emperor is the cultivar name used for this listing; no additional cultivar synonym is assumed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit size, taste, and texture\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour supplied photographs show clusters of rounded-to-oval fruit with pink-red, textured shells and natural color variation. Emperor is known for large fruit, sometimes approaching golf-ball size. Actual dimensions depend on the tree, season, and growing conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe edible white aril is juicy and sweet, with delicate floral character. Remove the shell and seed before eating. Emperor can produce small, shriveled “chicken-tongue” seeds, but seed size varies and every fruit is not guaranteed to have a small seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTree growth and garden placement\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmperor is commonly described as a slow, compact grower. That does not establish a fixed dwarf height: give the tree space to develop and use selective pruning to manage its canopy. Young plants can take patience to establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a sheltered garden position, especially where strong winds are common. A container may help with winter protection while the tree is manageable, but long-term container culture requires appropriate root space, light, and ongoing care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting and care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide full sun, good drainage, and protection from strong wind. Water regularly during establishment and maintain adequate moisture during fruit development. Avoid leaving roots in persistently waterlogged soil. Feed according to tree size, fertilizer directions, and local guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProtect young plants from frost and freezing conditions in Central Florida. Lychee flowering benefits from suitable seasonal weather, so annual production can vary even on established trees. Inspect new growth for pests, including distorted or blistered foliage, and seek local Extension guidance when symptoms appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmperor can struggle in strongly alkaline, calcareous soils, particularly as an air-layered plant. Evaluate your site and growing medium before planting; soil suitability matters as much as the cultivar choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvest and My Food Forest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlorida planning guide: early summer, generally June, with timing varying by site and season.\u003c\/strong\u003e The statewide lychee season spans roughly mid-May to early July across cultivars. Confirm your own Emperor picking window through local observations rather than treating those broader dates as a guaranteed cultivar season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet fruit ripen on the tree for best eating quality. Pick fully developed, appropriately colored fruit and enjoy promptly. Lychee does not develop the same quality if picked too early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse our \u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Calendar and My Food Forest\u003c\/strong\u003e tools to compare expected seasons, identify overlaps, and build a more varied edible garden. Record flowering and picking dates for your own tree to refine future planning. Scan the Harvest Calendar QR in the product image to explore the tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant at a glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBotanical name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLitchi chinensis 'Emperor'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir-layered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSapindaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies origin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern China and Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, round-to-oval, textured pink-red shell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize guide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCan approach golf-ball size; variable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlesh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTranslucent white, juicy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlavor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSweet, delicately floral\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize varies; small aborted seeds possible\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow, compact habit; allow canopy space\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlorida harvest guide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly summer, generally June; variable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight and soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun; well-drained soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCold care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtect young trees from frost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow large is Emperor lychee fruit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is recognized for large fruit that can reach approximately golf-ball size. This is a potential size, not a guarantee for every fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it have a small seed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmall, aborted seeds are possible, but full-size seeds can also occur. Remove seeds before eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it produce every year?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLychee bearing depends strongly on weather, flowering, tree health, and maturity. Annual crops and heavy yields are not guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need two lychee trees?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA single lychee tree can set fruit. Cross-pollination may improve fruit set under some conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Emperor dwarf?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is commonly described as compact and slow-growing. Plan for pruning and a developing canopy rather than an absolute maximum height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow are your Emperor Lychee trees propagated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur Emperor Lychee trees are air-layered to preserve the named variety. All lychee trees sold by The Island Gardeners are propagated by air layering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen will it start producing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat depends on tree age, establishment, and growing conditions. Fruit on arrival or within a fixed period is not promised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you offer pickup and shipping?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePalm Bay pickup is available near Melbourne, Florida. Nationwide shipping is offered to eligible destinations, subject to plant-entry restrictions, selected size, weather, and checkout availability. Confirm suitable growing conditions for your location.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlan your next lychee harvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose an available \u003cstrong\u003eair-layered Emperor Lychee Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/theislandgardeners.com\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheIslandGardeners.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and add another tropical favorite to your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Island Gardeners","offers":[{"title":"3 Gal","offer_id":67915956781245,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 Gal","offer_id":67915956814013,"sku":null,"price":139.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"15 Gal","offer_id":67915956846781,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Gal","offer_id":67915956879549,"sku":null,"price":449.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2801\/5293\/files\/emperor-lychee-tree-the-island-gardeners.png?v=1792773063","url":"https:\/\/theislandgardeners.com\/products\/emperor-lychee-tree","provider":"The Island Gardeners","version":"1.0","type":"link"}