Yield 
Lychee trees begin to bear at the age of four to six 
years and remain in production for exceptionally long 
periods of time. The oldest trees in Florida are still 
far from reaching their prime. In their native China, 
Lychees produce heaviest from the fiftieth to the 100th 
year, and trees known to be much older are still fruiting. 
Estimates of the production to be expected from 
Lychee trees in Florida are based on a ten-year cultural 
program at Lychee Orchards Inc., Laurel, as well as 
the experiences of. a number of individual growers in 
various sections of the state. The grower can expect his 
production to increase from three to five pounds per 
tree at the end of five years to at least 60 to 80 pounds 
per tree at the end of ten years, and from 250 to 300 
pounds per tree in the twentieth year, when planted on 
suitable soil and well cared for. 
Fruit Prices 
No one who has watched fresh Lychees sell at the fab- 
ulous retail prices that have prevailed the last several 
years believes that these prices will endure after the 
Lychee has become a high volume commercial fruit crop. 
On the other hand, we should remember that the fruit 
is generally conceded to be one of the world’s finest and 
consumers are eager to buy, so that the demand should 
keep pace with increased production. If, and when vol- 
ume production brings a reduction from the present 
wholesale price of $1.25 per pound FOB, prices in the 
foreseeable future should not go as low as 25 cents a 
pound. But even at that figure or lower, Lychees can 
be produced at a very satisfactory profit, beginning the 
sixth year. 
An organization of Lychee growers is now in process 
of formation and will function to assist growers in mar- 
keting their fruit, and to keep product standards high 
so that a profitable price structure can be maintained. 
Ten Years, and After 
Figures based on actual experiences of growers indi- 
cate that a tract of ten acres should produce in its tenth 
year a minimum of 35,000 pounds of fresh Lychees. At 
an estimated expense for the year of $1750, and receipts 
based on a minimum 25 cents a pound at $8750, the 
erower should realize a net profit of $7000. 
