Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees

Loquat trees, scientifically known as Eriobotrya japonica, are beautiful and productive fruit-bearing trees that have been adorning landscapes for centuries. Native to China, this evergreen tree belongs to the Rosaceae family and offers a delightful combination of delicious fruits and ornamental qualities. However, there is a common problem that loquat tree owners face – goats devouring the tasty leaves and fruits. In this article, we will explore the importance of protecting your loquat trees from goats and various methods to keep them at bay.

The Alluring Beauty and Benefits of Loquat Trees

With their glossy, dark-green leaves and clusters of golden-orange fruits, loquat trees make an enchanting addition to any garden or orchard. Not only do they provide a visual feast, but they also offer a range of health benefits. The fruits are packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious treat. Moreover, these trees have been valued in traditional medicine for their cough-relieving, digestive, and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, the lush foliage and tempting fruits of loquat trees tend to attract unwanted attention from goats, who find them utterly irresistible. The goats' nibbling habits can pose a significant threat to the health and longevity of your loquat trees. Hence, it is crucial to take appropriate measures to protect your trees from these voracious eaters.

Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees: The Adventures of an American Surgeon in Nepal

by Thomas Hale (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2240 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	266 pages
Paperback	:	20 pages
Item Weight	:	2.57 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.04 x 11 inches

FREE

Methods to Keep Goats Away from Your Loquat Trees

While goats are known for their love of munching on vegetation, there are several strategies you can employ to deter them from feasting on your loquat trees:

1. Fencing:

Building a sturdy fence around your loquat trees is perhaps the most effective way to prevent goats from reaching them. Ensure that the fence is at least six feet tall and has small enough gaps to prevent the goats from squeezing through.

2. Prickly Barriers:

Goats tend to dislike prickly or thorny textures. Surrounding your loquat trees with prickly shrubs or installing thorny branches around them can dissuade the goats from venturing closer.

3. Repellents:

Using repellent sprays or liquid formulations that are unpleasant to goats can be an effective way to protect your loquat trees. These can be safely sprayed on the tree leaves or applied as a perimeter barrier around the trees.

4. Scare Tactics:

Goats are naturally skittish animals. Utilizing scare tactics such as loud noises, motion-activated sprinklers, or even placing fake predatory animals near your loquat trees can deter them from approaching.

5. Regular Pruning:

Keeping your loquat trees well-maintained through regular pruning can make them less accessible and attractive to goats. Trimming the lower branches can make it difficult for goats to reach the leaves and fruits.

The Impact of Goat Damage on Loquat Trees

Allowing goats to feast on loquat trees can have severe consequences for the health and productivity of the plants. Continuous browsing by goats can strip the trees of their foliage, leaving them weak and vulnerable to diseases and pest infestations.

When goats repeatedly graze on the leaves, it impedes the tree's ability to carry out photosynthesis, affecting its overall growth and vigor. Moreover, goats can also cause damage to the bark when they rub or nibble on the trunks, compromising the tree's structural integrity.

In addition to the visible damage, goats may also carry and spread diseases, pathogens, or harmful insects that can further harm your loquat trees and other nearby plants.

Keeping goats away from your cherished loquat trees is essential to maintain their beauty, health, and productivity. By employing strategies like fencing, prickly barriers, repellents, scare tactics, and regular pruning, you can safeguard your loquat trees from the persistent nibbling of these curious animals.

Preserving the lush leaves, vibrant fruits, and valuable benefits of your loquat trees will ultimately result in a picturesque garden or an abundant orchard that you can proudly showcase to others. So, don't let the goats eat your loquat trees, and take the necessary steps to protect them!

Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees: The Adventures of an American Surgeon in Nepal

by Thomas Hale (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2240 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	266 pages
Paperback	:	20 pages
Item Weight	:	2.57 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.04 x 11 inches

FREE

Thomas Hale writes about being a missionary surgeon in the same delightful way James Herriot writes about being a country veterinarian. Dr. Hale's incredible experience in tiny, mountainous Nepal are surpassed only by his talent for telling about them. Imagine, for example, the culture shock of moving to a Hindu country under such rigid religious control that it is not only illegal to proselytize, but illegal to change religions as well. Imagine further the shock of moving to that country as a missionary doctor. Thomas Hale and his wife, Cynthia, also a physician, too on that awesome challenge in 1970.God wasted no time teaching tom the peculiarities of his new culture. But His unusual method left Tom wondering what God was up to. Here is how Tom tells about it:"These were not the phlegmatic, easy-going Nepalis described in books and orientation courses. Those who spoke gesticulated fiercely. Some looked around menacingly; others spat. One thing was certain, however: in the cause of their anger they were united. The word was out: the new doctor had killed a cow. My own sense of participation in the proceedings was intense. I was the new doctor."--ExcerptAs Tom goes on to describe the events the preceded the angry scene in the Nepali village, the image of the spiritually superior missionary quickly evaporates. In a humorous, yet deeply insightful way, the author makes it clear that he is merely a servant, using his skills to the glory of God.Tom concludes this chapter with a thoughtful confession:"In the long run, that cow did much more for me that I did for it. The mild-mannered, uncritical beast made me see in myself those negative attributes I had always ascribed to other American surgeons. Facing two hundred angry men proved to be effective therapy for removing most traces of condescension with which I previously regarded them. It also improved my relations with missionary colleagues and with Nepali brothers and sisters in the church. I guess God had no gentler way of removing some of my imperfections. I only wish I could say, for His trouble, that He finished the job. But it was a start." -- Excerpt.Dr. Hale's book refused to be preachy or condescending. It presents missions as a "want" rather than an "ought." It is sensitive, warm, honest, incredibly funny, and filled with important truths illustrated from unusual and sometimes unimaginable situations.