Plant Guide

Other Names:  American Persimmon, Eastern Persimmon

Description:

A beautiful multi-stemmed fruit tree that is sometimes single stemmed; production of fruit requires both male and female trees; typically round-topped with an open, erect habit; shelter from damaging winds

Edible Qualities

Common Persimmon is a large tree that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces orange round fruit (technically 'pomes') which are usually ready for picking from late summer to early fall. The fruits have a sweet taste.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Preserves

Features & Attributes

Common Persimmon has dark green foliage with grayish green undersides on a tree with a round habit of growth. The glossy oval leaves turn orange in fall. The fruits are showy orange pomes carried in abundance in late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is an open multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Common Persimmon is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Common Persimmon will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 35 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more. This is a female variety of the species which requires a male selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree can be integrated into a landscape or flower garden by creative gardeners, but is usually grown in a designated edibles garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is native to parts of North America.