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" Blame it on the produce aisle. When supermarkets began to take off during the late 1930s, they needed fruits that ripened at consistent times, survived shipping and shelving without bruises, and looked and tasted the same week to week. As commercial growers turned their backs on less reliable tree types, home gardeners eventually did too. Several beloved varieties rich in history and recipes soon ended up forgotten. The same factors that drove these heirloom trees into obscurity are the chief reasons they&amp;#039;re so prized today. Their fruits burst in the mouth with complex and unexpected flavors you won&amp;#039;t find at the store: the apricot tang of the loquat, the wine-sprinkled kiss of the medlar, and the zesty sweetness of the persimmon. Indeed, some approach an overwhelming pungency best tempered by the stove--producing such delights as the mellow apple-pear smoothness of cooked quince and the spicy sugar of damson jelly. Though prone to the same all-too-conventional problems of more common trees (fireblight, aphids and caterpillars, fruit-loving pests such as birds, squirrels, and possums), the singular beauty of these old-time fruit trees is a striking and bold presence in any garden.  Loquat  This easy-to-grow evergreen tree with clusters of fragrant white flowers flourishes in the American South and in temperate coastal areas. It craves heat and sun to make its tangy gumdrop of a fruit.   Medlar  When it blooms in spring, the flowers are white, but fade to pink as the season wears on. The medlar grows in moderately fertile, moist soil infull sun or partial shade and is hardy as far north as Zone 5.   Quince  A gnarled grower, the quince thrives in moist clay soil in cooler subtropical areas as well as cool, temperate areas\u2014so long as there is plenty of sun. Its pearlike fruit tastes better when it&amp;#039;s cooked.   Persimmon  This lover of deep, well-drained loam features striking fall foliage; the bright leaves drop to reveal orange fruits. Moderate winters and mild to hot summers are ideal conditions for persimmons.  Damson  An upright evergreen that can&amp;#039;t stand excessive heat, the damson prefers to produce its small white teacup flowers and dark blue plums (best as preserves) in cooler climes, though it likes full sun.   SOURCES FOR SAPLINGS  Nature Hills Nursery, Omaha, Neb. (888-864-7663;  naturehills.com)--damsons and persimmons Raintree Nursery, Morton, Wisc. (360-496-6400;  raintreenursery.com)--medlars and quince Just Fruits and Exotics, Crawfordville, Fla. (850-926-5644; justfruitsandexotics.com)--loquats, quince, and persimmons "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/q-and-a/a760/forgotten-fruit-trees/>