Persimmon Trees (Diospyros kaki an, Diospyros digyna or ‘Black Persimmon’) are a deciduous tree that will reach around 20ft (7m) and are grown both for the fruit as well as being an interesting ornamental tree with good color in fall.
These trees usually are slow growing and form a good structure that needs little to no pruning. Persimmons are self pollinating and the season for picking is in Fall..
The two varieties differ in a number of ways. The American variety is hardier and grows into a bigger tree.
The Asian types are smaller growing, not as hardy, but a better tree for a small garden.
You can grow these productive trees in USDA Zones 5 – 11 being careful to select the variety that is right for your climate.
Care
Plant persimmons in fall when the soil is still warm, this will give them time to put on some root growth before the next season.
A sunny open position is best, water in well with a seaweed fertilizer and mulch to retain moisture.
Try a position that is sheltered from strong winds.
As Persimmon trees are late to bloom they are very frost tolerant. The blossom does not form until after the frosts are over, which makes for easy care and easier to select a site.
Persimmons are regarded as hardy in zones 8-10
Persimmon Varieties
Persimmons come in two main types, astringent and non astringent.
- Dai Dai Maru is a classic astringent variety as is Tam-O-Pan, the fruit needs to be fully ripe before you can eat it.
Hachiya is a particularly heavy bearing astringent type. - Non astringent varieties such as Fuyugaki (Fuyu) are a little more easy to manage in terms of ripeness.
Best Persimmon Trees for Home Gardens
Ichi-Ki-Kei-Jiro is our choice, hardier than most of the Asian types, small tree, self pollinating and sweet firm fruit.
Look for grafted varieties.
Persimmon Trees are available for sale from the following specialist nurseries.
GRIMO NUT NURSERY
Persian and Black Walnut, Heartnut, Butternut,Apricot, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Pecan, Hickory, Ginkgo, Pine nut, Mulberry, Persimmon, Paw Paw, Fig and many more.
www.grimonut.com
