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Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

7-Gallon

Height: 30-50 feet tall.
Spread: 20-30 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness Zone: 4a.
Other Names: American Persimmon, Common Persimmon

Description:
A hardy native persimmon species, Diospyros virginiana is known for its adaptability, resilience, and sweet, flavorful fruit. This deciduous tree produces small to medium-sized orange fruit that ripens in late fall and is best enjoyed when fully soft and ripe. Highly valued for its wildlife benefits, ornamental appeal, and edible fruit, the American persimmon is an excellent choice for home orchards, food forests, and naturalized plantings.

Edible Qualities:
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) produces small, round fruit with a deep orange color and rich, honey-like sweetness when fully ripe. The fruit is astringent until soft but develops an incredibly smooth texture and deep flavor as it matures.
The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Fresh Eating (after ripening)
- Baking
- Drying
- Jams & Preserves
- Wildlife Forage

Features & Attributes:
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) features lush green foliage throughout the growing season, turning vibrant shades of yellow and orange in the fall. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring, which attract pollinators. Its fruit ripens in late fall, often persisting on the tree after leaf drop, adding ornamental and wildlife interest.

This is a deciduous tree with a strong, upright growth habit. It is dioecious, meaning both male and female trees are needed for fruit production, though some trees may produce fruit without pollination.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is suitable for the following landscape applications:

- Wildlife Gardens
- Native & Naturalized Plantings
- Home Orchards
- Shade Tree

Planting & Growing:
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) will grow to be about 30-50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20-30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6-8 feet from the ground. It grows at a moderate rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 75 years or more.

This tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is highly adaptable, tolerating drought, poor soil, and a variety of environmental conditions. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Minimal pruning is needed, except to remove dead or crossing branches.

Additional Characteristics:
- Late-Season Ripening
- Requires Male & Female Trees for Fruit (Dioecious)
- Cold Hardy
- Excellent for Wildlife & Pollinators
- Adaptable to Various Soil Conditions