Persimmon

The American Persimmon tree, Diospyrus virginiana, is a native fruit tree with attractive edible fruit. Its dark-green leaves conceal small fragrant white flowers that are replaced by pale-orange fruits, which ripen after frost. While persimmon grows on many kinds of soils, it attains its greatest size on sandy, clay soil in bottoms. It is one of the first invaders of old fields with the seeds brought in by wild birds and animals. The leaf is rather leathery and dark green. Its average length is about 4 inches. Persimmon trees are well known for its delicious orange fruit and bark which resembles alligator hide. This deciduous tree provides fruit for birds and the buds and leaves are a source of food for deer, opossum, gray and fox squirrel, quail, raccoon, wild turkey, red and gray fox and coyote. It is very important as a wildlife food. Persimmon wood is hard and dense. It is used for golf club heads, handles for files and carving tools, billiard cues, shuttles and mallets. Plant a persimmon at the woodland's edge or in an open field. The bright green leaves change to a bright golden yellow in the fall making this tree highly prized as an ornamental tree. Our Persimmon trees are unsexed. Approximately 90% of our Persimmons are females, so purchasing 10 or more should insure fruiting. In a good environment and with good care, fruiting will begin in year six and continues for fifty years or more. ... additional information