Once the ornamental tree has grown and matured, quince trees can start bearing fruit after around 5-6 years. Fruit from the quince tree can be harvested in October or November – keep an eye out when they turn into a golden colour and are giving off an aromatic scent.

The secret to a tasty quince is by leaving them as long as possible on the tree, however, make sure you remove them before there is a risk of frost.

If you picked it too early and it needs more time to ripen, you should store them for six months before use to allow the flavour and colour to develop. Quince fruit will keep for two or three months.

The height that quince trees grow can range from 3-6 metres tall and can live for around 25 years. They aren’t a big tree so will be a great option for small to mid-sized gardens or areas with limited space.

Quince trees need a sunny location with rich, fertile soil with good drainage. These trees can adapt well to wet or dry soil so are relatively low maintenance. It is hard to overwater a quince tree. They can last a significant amount of time without water, so water them when you think it is necessary. 

Quince is unique to other fruits and is rarely eaten raw. Raw quince is particularly sour with tough and grainy flesh. However, when they are cooked they develop into an aromatic fruit and become soft and sweet with a sharp flavour.

Fruit trees are an excellent way to attract wildlife to your garden.