jekahrs said
 I know loquotes are cold tolerant but that due to inconvenient blooming time the bees are not out to set fruit. Has anyone with a loquat ever have fruit set?

I know of an established Loquat in SE Portland setting fruit, I'm thinking- 3 out of 5 years. She's 30 feet tall. Has wonderful South and Western exposure, and reflective heat from a well used arterial hard space and traffic. Yellow, roundish fruit, yellow flesh.  

Had discussion with a third party interjecting they know of a North Portland location reliably producing yearly, I was led to understand. This one I've not confirmed but my hunch is it must be situated similarly with the South and West fairly unimpeded.

Another HOS member I spoke with recently was pretty sure his community housing village has one planted and fruiting; suggested the pomes were probably set  and visible then, about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I should go by and confirm that, nearby in my neighborhood. Planted South of a brick entry fence, or maybe closer to two story structure nearby, also to the North, (not sure on the inattentive drive by- which sheltering, reflecting surfaces are immediate). Southern exposure across a major feeder street used to be 4 lanes, now 2 with traffic calming devices. Low lying structures on the south side of the street. 

My first taste of Loquat (other than cough syrup) was in Northern California, while helping with harvesting and processing of plum Mume. Loquat fruit came ripe during my visitations. Described as 'noble sweet' by the farms founder. Fruit color of skin was orangish red; flesh the color of cantaloupe, not a light one. Shape more elongated than round, thinner at the stem end wider at the blossom. Sweet with tart notes; fine-smooth texture, refreshing. Made me want to plant one. I don't expect to get fruit because of my planting site. A friend likes tea made from the leaves. Biwa is the Japanese name.

James B

There was a bearing Loquat tree next door to my Aunt's house in Novato, CA.

Excepting for a few very cold days, each year in Portland, Novato's climate is quite similar to ours.

Occasionally, that Novato Loquat would set fruit.  Mostly not.

Similarly, in the semi-arctic conditions of 50 years ago, in San Francisco's Upper Noe Valley/Diamond Heights area, occasionally the wild plum trees would bear fruit.  Not very often though.

The unassuming and unnoticed little trees, would go decades without producing.  Then, when the perfect weather year deemed it possible, the trees would bear so many plums that it would break off all of the limbs.  Utterly delicious, especially the jams and jellies.

In the Novato location, my Aunt grew, in planters on her deck, the Washington Orange and the Meyer Lemon.

Never covered them.  The trees did fine, excepting that prolonged daytime temperatures of 25 degrees or so, did cause some frost damage, and subsequent die-back.

This suggests that with moderate precautions, some types of Citrus might be viable here now.  I'm pretty sure that conditions, thus far this year, would be compatible with survival and productivity.  No special protection.

Now, Citrus is no flavor competitor to the exotic apples, and other things we usually grow.  But, the harvest time is right about now, and those oranges and lemons, are surely welcome during these otherwise bleak months.