-CMYK-Logo.png){kind=logo}
-CMYK-Logo.png){kind=logo}
Iwasaki Satsuma Trees for Sale
Citrus made easy for growers, nurseries, and distributors
The Iwasaki satsuma carries forward a long citrus tradition rooted in Japan, where satsumas have been cultivated for centuries and valued for their delicate sweetness, seedlessness, and ease of peeling. While modern mandarin programs have expanded into countless hybrids and branded varieties, satsumas now hold a more historic place in the citrus landscape—recognized not just for their flavor, but for the role they played in introducing American consumers to soft-textured, easy-peel mandarins long before the seedless boom of the 2000s. In that context, Iwasaki represents a particularly important selection. Chosen in Japan for its ability to ripen extremely early, it extended the satsuma season and demonstrated how genetics and careful selection could move harvest calendars forward without compromising the gentle, melting flesh and low acidity that define the satsuma experience.
In California and other U.S. citrus regions, the Iwasaki satsuma mandarin offers a connection to this heritage while still delivering relevance in modern markets. It matures very early—often by late September or early October in warm inland districts—at a time when cooler-season citrus is typically not yet available. Its rind is smooth and bright, and it peels easily, revealing tender, juicy segments with the mellow sweetness and subtle aroma that set satsumas apart from bolder, later-season mandarins. Although today’s retail environment favors seedless mandarins with higher acidity and more intense flavor, Iwasaki remains cherished in specialty markets, farmers’ market programs, and u-pick groves where early availability and nostalgic eating quality create loyal customers. For growers who appreciate citrus history, planting Iwasaki is a nod to the varieties that helped shape early consumer appreciation for mandarins in the United States.
Mandarin Trees Your Way
From seed to container-ready.
How Our Iwasaki Satsuma Mandarin Trees Are Different
When purchasing Gillette navel orange trees from TreeSource, growers receive clean-propagated, true-to-type material from verified budwood sources. We emphasize uniformity, strong root development, and early structure so trees establish quickly and grow evenly. Shipping is handled in heavy-duty palletized triwall containers designed to secure pots and protect canopies, ensuring trees arrive healthy, stable, and ready to plant.
For orchardists and collectors seeking a classic California navel with heirloom pedigree, the Gillette orange offers a balanced, true-navel eating experience and a reliable mid-season harvest window. Whether planted in commercial rows, boutique groves, or heritage blocks, Gillette connects growers to the foundational era of California citrus — supported today by TreeSource’s clean stock program and professional handling to ensure healthy establishment and long-term success.
Iwasaki Satsuma Tree FAQs
What regions does TreeSource ship Iwasaki satsumas to? Are there any restrictions based on location?
TreeSource ships Iwasaki satsumas throughout approved citrus-growing regions. Most western U.S. locations can receive trees, and California deliveries are routine. Trees cannot be shipped to Florida and Texas due to state citrus quarantine rules. Buyers outside California simply confirm state eligibility, and TreeSource handles compliance so trees arrive certified and ready to plant.
Are Iwasaki satsuma mandarins tolerant of root rot and other soil-borne diseases?
Iwasaki satsumas are not inherently resistant to root rot or other soil-borne diseases; like most satsumas, they prefer well-drained soils and are vulnerable when conditions stay wet or oxygen levels in the root zone drop. Phytophthora pressure increases in heavy ground, low spots, or orchards with poor irrigation management, and trees can decline if roots remain saturated or if drainage is compromised. Good cultural practices—well-drained soil, careful irrigation, and clean planting stock—are more important than with some hardier mandarin types.
In most plantings, disease tolerance depends largely on rootstock choice. Common commercial rootstocks used for Iwasaki, such as Carrizo or C-35, offer moderate Phytophthora resistance and hold up better in marginal soils compared to older rootstocks like trifoliate seedlings or sour orange. With proper rootstock selection and disciplined irrigation, Iwasaki can perform very reliably, but it should not be placed where drainage is borderline or flooding occurs, as satsumas in general respond poorly to waterlogged soils.
How large can I expect the Iwasaki satsuma trees I order to grow?
Iwasaki satsumas grow to a small -sized tree, typically reaching about 8 feet tall and a similar width under normal orchard conditions. With selective pruning and modern spacing, many growers maintain them closer to 7 feet to support light penetration, picking access, and canopy balance. In backyard settings with good care and room to spread, they can lean toward the upper end of that range, while high-density commercial systems often keep them more compact.
What’s the typical timeframe if I place a large order of Iwasaki satsuma mandarin trees?
For a large commercial order of Iwasaki satsuma mandarin trees, the timeframe depends on whether trees are already in production or need to be contract-grown. If TreeSource has Citrus Liners or Large Pot trees already scheduled in the pipeline, delivery may align with the next available shipping window, often several months out depending on season and inventory. For true large-scale plantings that require dedicated production, expect a lead time of roughly one year, sometimes longer, because citrus propagation, rooting, and field hardening follow natural growth cycles and must meet clean-plant certification standards.
We typically work with buyers to plan planting windows, confirm quantities, and secure production slots. For major plantings, deposits and advance scheduling ensure the trees are grown to order and ready at the proper size. The nursery also coordinates timing around shipping conditions to protect tree health, especially during peak heat or cold periods.
What is the growing and ripening schedule usually like for Iwasaki satsumas from TreeSource?
Iwasaki follows a straightforward early-season satsuma cycle. Trees bloom in spring, size fruit through summer, and reach eating maturity very early—often late September into early October in warm inland regions, slightly later near the coast. Internal sweetness develops ahead of full rind color, so harvest is usually based on flavor rather than appearance when nights are still warm. Because Iwasakis ripen fast and don't hang long, growers typically pick promptly once sugars rise and acids soften, taking advantage of the earliest premium mandarin window before other varieties come online and using ethylene gas to color the rind.