American Persimmon

Diospyros meaning 'divine fruit' refers to the delicious 1-2" orange fruits of our native Persimmon, potently fragrant, small, greenish white flowers in spring on this wide-spreading, medium-tall (30-60') tree has good yellow color in the fall and very distinct thick, dark bark that is checkered, its coarse branches provide winter interest; a member of the ebony family, its wood is used for golf clubs and billiard cues; fruit sets on females tree, a male is needed for pollen, ours are unsexed seedlings. (Sorry, we are unable to ship to California) S/M

The American Persimmon is hardier than the Japanese species and is native to the Eastern United States where it grows up to 60 feet tall, however in most landscapes it stays smaller at around 20 to 30 feet tall. They are tolerant of free draining sandy soils and drought conditions as well as both the dry summer heat of the Southwest and hot, humid climate of the Southeast. The wood is very strong and the branches are very tolerant of heavy snow loads, the bark is also thick and resistant to being chewed by mice or squirrels in the winter. The leaves are an attractive glossy dark green and the spring flowers are fragrant. The fruit are sweet when ripe and delicous straight off the tree, although they are also quite popular for use in pies and jams.

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Somewhat wide range of soil tolerance, but prefers moist, sandy soils. Drought tolerant. Promptly remove root suckers unless naturalized effect is desired. Female trees need a male pollinator in order to set fruit. Two or more trees needed to produce fruit. Persimmon fruit is quite astringent when green, but upon ripening becomes sweet and may be eaten off the tree. Fruits are commonly used in syrups, jellies, ice creams or pies. Ripe fruits are too soft for shipping/sale. Persimmon leaves can be used to make teas. Persimmon is a member of the ebony family. The wood is extremely hard and has been used to make golf club heads, and billiard cues.

An American native widely distributed in the East. Heat tolerant, tough and having more ornamental character to recommend it than is widely acknowledged. For a native tree, surprisingly few horticultural selections have been made. The astringent fruits are most attractive, set with the large, persistent calyces on top. Fruit can be abundant, but isn't usually messy because it persists late into winter, providing a tasty treat for wildlife after the first hard frosts. The deeply furrowed, blocky bark on mature trees is especially handsome when accented by winter snow. Its unobtrusive size and ease of care make this a tree that deserves more attention.

Common persimmons are slow-growing trees that produce large edible fruits. It is dioecious, meaning female and male flowers are produced on separate plants, and usually requires both a female and male plant to produce fruit. Persimmon is an attractive medium sized tree that tolerates poor, dry soil, but will grow faster in moist fertile soil. Female trees produce fruit that are sweet and tasty when fully ripe. Very easy to cultivate, Persimmon is adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture conditions, and is extremely drought tolerant once established

A medium height tree to 20-30' with a broad, oval crown. New foliage has bronze to red leaves that turns yellow, pink, and red in the fall. Fruit is round, yellow to orange, 1½-2" wide, very astringent until soft-ripe, then very sweet. With routine watering, our grafted varieties have consistently produced large, sweet fruit. Though most varieties are considered self-fertile, a male pollinator is recommended for best fruit production.