Right now, in mid-autumn, our jujube mother plants are loaded with sugary, caramel-colored drupes. Of the 40+ varieties we grow, some are glossy and crisp like a sugar-concentrated apple, while others develop a wrinkled, nougat-like texture, with flavor notes of raisin and date. On many of the trees, the branches are so loaded with fruit that without thinning or pruning, they risk snapping under the weight – a vivid reminder of how generous, and at times overwhelming, these humble trees can be.
A Resilient and Ancient Tree
Ziziphus jujuba — commonly known as tsao — is a thorny, deciduous tree native to China, where it has been cultivated for over 4000 years. The fruit is typically the size of a small plum and ripens well in regions with long, hot summers.
Jujubes are remarkably precocious when conditions are right. In Sacramento’s heat, many of our mother plants began producing within two years of planting. In contrast, our mother plants in El Sobrante are helping us evaluate which varieties can produce and ripen reliably in the milder, coastal-influenced conditions of the S.F Bay Area.
Uses
More than just a sweet fruit, the jujube has a long history of culinary, medicinal, and cultural use. When fresh, it’s crunchy and apple-like. When dried, it becomes chewy like a date. Jujubes can be simmered into soothing teas like Korean daechu-cha, blended into jams and syrups, or stuffed with mochi for a satisfying dessert. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, they are valued for their calming, nourishing, and tonifying effects. Across many cultures, jujubes are offered during festivals, used in healing broths, and passed down in home remedies, a testament to their important role in both kitchen and clinic.
Propagation
Jujubes are typically grafted onto seedling rootstock. We find the seed from wild sour jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa) has higher germination rates than the seed from named cultivars. In addition to seedlings, root suckers can be dug and used as rootstock. Propagating by cuttings or air-layers is possible, but is often less successful than grafting. Grafted jujube trees, rootstock seedlings, and scion wood are available seasonally at our nursery and webstore. If we're out of stock, we recommend checking with Fruitwood Nursery, England’s Orchard, or Really Good Plants — all trusted sources of propagation material.
Never had a fresh jujube? Come by the nursery at 319 105th Ave in Oakland while they’re in season – we’re always happy to share the harvest.
Sources:
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H330/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-52260-8
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ziziphus-jujuba/
