Persimmon
Diospyrus virginiana is a woody, deciduous tree in the Ebenaceae (ebony) family. It is native to the central and eastern United States. Persimmons are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees, and you need both in order to get fruit. Flowers in spring to early summer and produces fruits in the fall. Trees propagated from seeds begin producing fruit in 4-9 years. It has a thick, dark gray bark that is divided by furrows into square blocks resembling a checkerboard, sometimes called “alligator bark.” Fall leaf color ranges from yellow to orange to bright red.
Growing conditions: Persimmon grows best in moist, well-drained, sandy soils in full sun to partial shade and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. The tree can be propagated by grafting, root cutting, or seed, but a deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant. American persimmons will not bear fruit right away.
Size at maturity: 15’-20’
Uses: Persimmons are prized for their fruit which tend to be small on native stock. Grafting an improved variety is recommended to not only increase fruit size but flavor as well. Fruit is ripe when nearly jelly consistency and is abundantly sweet and delicious. Fruit is SUPER astringent when eaten before ripe. There are some non-astringent cultivars that ripen without getting soft and Kaki varieties can be grafted as well for a much larger (and less hardy) fruit.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Diospyrus virginiana is a woody, deciduous tree in the Ebenaceae (ebony) family. It is native to the central and eastern United States. Persimmons are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees, and you need both in order to get fruit. Flowers in spring to early summer and produces fruits in the fall. Trees propagated from seeds begin producing fruit in 4-9 years. It has a thick, dark gray bark that is divided by furrows into square blocks resembling a checkerboard, sometimes called “alligator bark.” Fall leaf color ranges from yellow to orange to bright red.
Growing conditions: Persimmon grows best in moist, well-drained, sandy soils in full sun to partial shade and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. The tree can be propagated by grafting, root cutting, or seed, but a deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant. American persimmons will not bear fruit right away.
Size at maturity: 15’-20’
Uses: Persimmons are prized for their fruit which tend to be small on native stock. Grafting an improved variety is recommended to not only increase fruit size but flavor as well. Fruit is ripe when nearly jelly consistency and is abundantly sweet and delicious. Fruit is SUPER astringent when eaten before ripe. There are some non-astringent cultivars that ripen without getting soft and Kaki varieties can be grafted as well for a much larger (and less hardy) fruit.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Diospyrus virginiana is a woody, deciduous tree in the Ebenaceae (ebony) family. It is native to the central and eastern United States. Persimmons are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees, and you need both in order to get fruit. Flowers in spring to early summer and produces fruits in the fall. Trees propagated from seeds begin producing fruit in 4-9 years. It has a thick, dark gray bark that is divided by furrows into square blocks resembling a checkerboard, sometimes called “alligator bark.” Fall leaf color ranges from yellow to orange to bright red.
Growing conditions: Persimmon grows best in moist, well-drained, sandy soils in full sun to partial shade and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. The tree can be propagated by grafting, root cutting, or seed, but a deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant. American persimmons will not bear fruit right away.
Size at maturity: 15’-20’
Uses: Persimmons are prized for their fruit which tend to be small on native stock. Grafting an improved variety is recommended to not only increase fruit size but flavor as well. Fruit is ripe when nearly jelly consistency and is abundantly sweet and delicious. Fruit is SUPER astringent when eaten before ripe. There are some non-astringent cultivars that ripen without getting soft and Kaki varieties can be grafted as well for a much larger (and less hardy) fruit.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9