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Cooperative Extension Service |
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Agricultural
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Arbor Day
Dale Bumpers College
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Persimmons
The American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, is native from southeastern New York to Florida, and westward to Kansas and Texas. This handsome tree grows up to fifty feet in height and 25 to 30 feet wide. It will grow in full sun, to partial shade. They are extremely drought tolerant, once they are established. Aside from their edible fruits, the fall color is usually quite outstanding. Common American persimmon trees usually have separate male and female trees. Both are needed to set fruit. (Occasionally, both sexed flowers will occur on the same tree, but this is uncommon). The fruit persists on the tree well into winter, after the leaves have fallen. Many old-timers won't taste the fruit until after the first killing frost, to make sure the fruits are ripe. If they aren't ripe, they are extremely astringent. Or as Captain John Smith of the Jamestown colony wrote in 1607, "the fruit is like a medlar; it is first green, then yellow and red when it is ripe: if it is not ripe, it will drive a man's mouth awrie with much torment, but when it is ripe, it is as delicious as the apricot." The common persimmon is smaller than the oriental persimmon, about the size of an apricot. They produce small white flowers, shaped like lanterns or bells. The fruits are orange with a reddish blush when ripe. The fruits are mushy when ripe, and reportedly soothes indigestion. The fruit is borne on new wood. Therefore, most of the fruit will be on the outer portion of the tree. No thinning is necessary. They begin bearing at four to six years of age. They are slow growing trees, so they could be kept even smaller through pruning or training; they have even been grown as espaliers. Because of their slow growth, the bark develops thick square blocks, like alligator skin. The wood is uniform in texture, strong, heavy, hard and resilient to pressure. That is why it is used to make golf club heads, billiard cues, flooring and veneers. Persimmons are not particularly picky about sites, they are often found in abandoned fields and fence rows. In the yard, they should do well, provided the site is well-drained. Water to get them established, and they should take care of themselves after that. It is hard to transplant a well-established tree, because they have a strong taproot. Good varieties include: 'Craggs', 'Florence', 'Garretson', 'Meader', 'John Rick', 'Morris' and 'Wabash'. If you have ever seen persimmons in the grocery store, they are usually the size of a grapefruit, either heart, plum or tomato shaped. These are the oriental persimmons, not the common persimmon. Oriental persimmons, Diospyros khaki, have been grown for thousands of years in China, and were introduced to the United States in 1870. They are temperate to tropical trees, which will grow well at least central Arkansas south--usually zones 7 -10. They are tolerant of high temperatures and high humidity, and fairly drought tolerant, but will need water when producing a crop. Although they produce a larger fruit, the trees are much smaller. They have the potential to get twenty to thirty feet tall, but that will take time. Most of the trees you will see locally are ten to fifteen feet tall, and as big around. They also have a wonderful fall color, not to mention, large colorful fruits. There are varieties which are self-fruitful and those that need cross pollinators. They grow best on deep, fertile soil, but will produce even on poorer sites. The oriental persimmon does not need a frost to be sweet. They will be slightly astringent if picked too early, but they are nothing like the common American persimmon. On the oriental persimmon, the fruit will soften when ripe, and have a jelly-like flesh. They may be red, yellow or orange at maturity, depending on the variety. The fruit should be picked when soft, by snipping the fruits from the branches with shears. A small stem should be attached to each fruit. The fruit will continue to ripen off the tree. Placing them in a bag with an apple will hasten the ripening process. Good varieties include: Chocolate, Fuyu, Tamopan, Tanenashi, and Hachiya. Once the oriental varieties begin to bear, they can produce large crops. This may lead to alternate bearing. A particularly heavy crop has been known to cause a decrease in production for several years. Pruning of the tree or some thinning of a heavy crop, can reduce this problem. Regardless of which persimmon you are growing, there are very few pest problems. This is one fruit crop that does not require a spray program. So if you are thinking about adding some fruiting trees to your landscape, consider some persimmons. Just be sure you know how to recognize a ripe fruit. |
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University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
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As
you drive along the highway these days, you may notice small orangish fruits
dangling from trees. But don't be too quick to harvest or bite into one, as the
immature fruit may cause a permanent pucker. The plant with these lovely little
fruits is the common persimmon.