These are fruiting trees that are native to China and have been gradually introduced into our area over the last 120 years.  The trees are handsome, densely foliated, and fairly slow growing, typically reaching a height of 15 feet, here in Southern California.   Lychees need a full sun location and a well-drained soil that is rich in organic content.  Once established, a mature tree can be hardy down to 25F, while the younger trees will need to have some protection from heat, frost and high winds.  Flowering occurs in the late spring, as tiny petal-less, yellow-green flowers are produced in clusters that can grow to be 30 inches long.  The fruit ripen over the next 140 days and are 1” around, pink to strawberry–red in color and are covered with a roughly textured skin.  The edible flesh is sweet, firm and juicy, and is a translucent white color.  When you are ready to plant your lychee tree, dig a hole that is at least 24” deep and 18” wide.  Add 6 inches of soil back into the hole and then incorporate 2 heaping handfuls of compost, 6 cups each of landscape mix and worm castings and two cups of azomite into the loose soil.  Place the root ball of the tree down into the hole and add the remaining soil back around it, all the while sprinkling handfuls of compost, landscape mix and worm castings into the hole as you go.  Once planted, lay a thick layer of organic mulch onto the soil surface, under the trees drip line.  Due to the relatively weak root system of the lychee, you will need to stake the tree up for a couple of years until the roots are strong enough to hold the tree on their own. We recommend using two or three poles that are set into the ground at least 18” away from the trunk.  Using one pole that is driven in close to the trunk might break off the delicate root ball.  In the years that follow, fertilize your lychee in the spring and again in mid-summer by working 6 cups of both landscape mix and worm castings into the top 2 inches of soil at each feeding.   Water your tree so that the soil is kept moist, but is not water logged.  The thick layer of mulch is helpful for keeping the soil moisture level high.