What kills a loquat tree?

[Sandy Loam]

My small "Christmas" loquat tree just died. It growing in heavy shade, in a wet spot, and ensured a lot of rain this summer. It was also planted in a corner which seems to host a lot of pests, including spider mites. Which of these variables is most likely to have killed my tree? I may try planting another one under different conditions, depending on your advice.

[Dypsisdean]

Not sure what a "Christmas" loquat tree is. But the loquats I am familiar with want full sun, and aren't particularly dependent on a lot of water - in other words, always wet wouldn't be necessary, or a plus, especially in heavy shade.

But these are generally a tough tree and I've seen them volunteer in some less than optimal locations.

[Kostas]

I think the worst of the conditions you provided was the corner hosting lots of pests. They hate that. Good air circulations but not necessarily excessive nor a windy spot, is good for this tree. They are prone to leaf spot diseases and various funks if tucked somewhere, they prefer good air circulation and full sun to half shade(more beautiful in half shade but probably slower and less fruitful). A wet spot is not necessarily advantageous. Good water availability in well draining ground is better for this tree

[_Keith]

They are susceptible to Fire Blight.   Do the branch tips look burnt?

[Josh-O]

well, I say try again and make sure you don't over water, Citrus doe not like t be over watered but dry out in between watering.....

[BigFrond]

Loquat prefers full sun.  It does not require much water and will grow fast and large.  

[Sandy Loam]

Thanks to everyone for your responses.  Keith, I think you nailed it.  I have looked at photos of "fire flight" (sudden drooping leaves, eventually turning brown) and I think this is what my loquat tree somehow caught.  I am not sure whether to try again after this experience.  There are some nice loquat trees near my house (in full sun and in elevated positions), so it may be the very specific location where I planted mine which caused the "fire blight".   I saw another loquat tree with this same "fire blight" condition in Gainesville recently, and it was much larger than mine.  The constant rains this year have likely not helped.

I have been reading that "fire blight" is incurable.  This is also no significant way of preventing it from happening. 

[MattyB]

Loquat, here in SoCal, will not only live in an extrememly dry conditions, but they'll actually still set fruit.  Once established you don't need to water them, even in my dry rocky conditions.  They are amazing. 

[SHEP]

Fire Blight is not incurable.  I have to spray my Red Bartlett pears every spring.  It is a mixture of warm spring and rain  that festers cankers, and the bacteria grows. You can read how to treat it on UC Davis California websight.  A quick fix is Streptomycin spray (difficult to find in small quantities and expensive).  I make a Bordeaux spray with lime and copper sulfate (I must use this same mix to treat Peach Leaf Curl), much less expensive.  But, sometimes difficult to find Copper Sulfate.  I believe it is banned to purchase in California, but I found a chemical supplier.

[Alicehunter2000]

Is there a systemic that will work? Had one decent sized peach tree and loquat suddenly die and another not looking good....all in the same area of the yard.....too big to attempt spraying....really sucks