I have to say it looks like a Mespilus to me - M. japonica? This would grow at a rate of knots when given the chance...

Its a Loquat (Eriobotryia japonica). The yellow downy skinned fruits taste of cherries though not very thick fleshed unfortunately. The one we had at work was quite prolific.

I was thinking Nespoli Fractal, which is very similar?
Just checked Eriobotrya - I'll be damned if I can tell the difference between that and Japanese Medlar and Nespoli...

Hadn't heard of Nespoli before. Just looked it up and the true Medlar (Mespilus germanica) appears to be that fruit. This, though related is definitely a Loquat which is different.

Further reading makes this even clearer.

You are right with Japanese Medlar as this is one and the same with Loquat (Eriobotryia japonica).

Mespilus (in your first post) is the true Medlar genus with fruits that have to rot before becoming edible.

This plant in the photo is definitely the Japanese Medlar, Loquat (Eriobotryia) or Nepoli if you are Italian. Certainly more sites agree with Nespoli being Eriobotryia than Mespilus (after more research).

Difinitely Eriobotryia though.

Well, depends where you look - one place says Nespoli is actually Japanese medlar (M. japonica) - seems to be a lot of argument about it, but perhaps the difference becomes obvious if you see or cut open the fruits.Researched this recently because one of my clients has what looks exactly like this one in his garden, and he grew it from a nespoli fruit... Anyway Spritz, you've got an answer!

Thats the trouble with common names.

So if I tell her that it's a Medlar aka Loquat and it might have edible fruit at some time in the future, that's about right, is it - she's not a gardener.

Thanks, Bamboo and Fractal. I was way off beam with my thought, wasn't I! lol.

Well its not a plant you come across often, Spritz. I understood nespoles should be bletted like medlars too, so I'd go with Fractal's id, it'll be easier!

OK. Thanks. You two are real stars . :-)))))))

I shall pick some proper medlars in the next few days and post a photo. Above photo is definitely loquat, Eriobotrya. Got two in pots in front garden. Phil J

Is this really a tree? Would it grow a lot bigger if they let it, do you know? I think they'd be pleased to find that out, too.

10-12ft perhaps. If sheltered, a little larger but thats about it. The branches in northern climes (with bad winters) can break with the weight of snow. The side branches generally become weighted down by their own leaf weight anyway and arch downwards.

We don't really get snow here, Fractal. It's due to our position between the Bristol Channel and the Quantock Hills, which get it. Let's hope that this 'shrub' stays whole. ;-) I think the garden is quite sheltered, too. I know that some of it is walled - lucky things! :

Then it will definitely get to 12 feet - one was taken down in a client's garden, along with lots of other stuff, this year, because of honey fungus and it was 15 feet tall. The one in your pic is a nicer shape though, much more bushy. Although having said that, of course I'm talking about nespole... which appears to be Mespilus japonica.

I think they'll be pleased, Bamboo - more interesting than a mere Magnolia! :-))

I thought Loquat too when I saw it. Love the fruit when very ripe. They get bout 15ft. tall here and grow rather quickly.

It certainly has shot up since it got more light, Angie.