Was this picture taken locally? I thought our climate was not conducive to fruit production for this tree.
I believe I saw it in East Vancouver somewhere. Can't recall exactly where now. No, it had no protection. I do remember it was just growing in the front yard just like any other tree.
Fruits some years in Seattle, where examples over 30' tall are known. One year one site where there are multiple examples had the fallen fruits carpeting the soil or pavement beneath when a couple of us came to look. Hardy most winters there, although the 1990 winter was punitive. But I think few well-established examples died, just looked like they wanted to for a time afterward!
I attempted to sample but a tenant(?) emerged from a building some distance away and yelled at us - even though we were in a parking lot with pavement right up to the tree we parked near and pallets stacked all around its trunk. Nothing about the appearance of the fruits suggested they were not pleasing to eat. (Mostly uneaten orchard fruits of various other types are also very commonly seen in this area - perhaps the majority of occupants* of local properties with abundantly producing fruit trees are not up to the task of gathering and processing or dispersing the bounty). I have also at least once seen a recently planted named cultivar (same as stock of 'Gold Nugget' in outlets at about the same time) fruiting in Seattle - although it is possible fertilization of the flowers occurred in California, before it was trucked up, sold and planted there - I don't remember how long after I first spotted the tree I saw it with fruit. Unless cross-pollination is also required, likely the main issue is the ~winter flowering - probably any year the season is mild enough fruiting may occur. Possible lack of pollinating insects during winter may not be a barrier as I have seen Anna's Hummingbird frequenting a friend's specimen. *60% of Seattle residences are rentals
