Persimmon fruit tree
What is a Persimmon Tree?
Persimmon trees are attractive, easy to grow, and produce a TON of delicious healthy fruit. Several varieties produce sugar-sweet fruit. Persimmon fruit can be eaten when they’re firm or soft, depending on the variety. However, the fruit is sweetest when picked soft. Soft fruit will have a jello-like texture. The fruit has health benefits. It decreases blood pressure, supports heart health and has antioxidants. Overall, Persimmon fruit are eaten fresh or dried (“Hoshigaki”). And, there are many Persimmon recipes.
American (“virginiana”), Asian (“kaki”) or hybrids (a cross between the two, “virginiana x kaki”) are the common type of Persimmon trees. However, specific varieties of Persimmon trees have unique characteristics. Fruit flavor and size, astringency, seedless or not, self-fertile, etc. are unique to each variety. Asian Persimmons are our favorite type. Most varieties are short trees that produce large, non-astringent fruit. There are many varieties for YOU to choose from. HEPPY™ grows ten varieties!
Persimmon trees are tolerant of many soils, and are heat and drought tolerant. Little pruning is needed. Overall, Persimmon trees are very LOW care fruit trees.
Persimmons — everything you need to know
- Persimmon tree Fact Sheet
- Four types of Persimmon trees
- Persimmon trees in landscaping and garden ideas
- How to eat Persimmon fruit?
- Persimmon Health Benefits
- Caring for the Persimmon tree: growing and pruning
- Propagating Persimmon
- Scion for sale
- Persimmon commercial market
- Persimmon growing at HEPPY
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Persimmon tree Fact Sheet
Common names
American Persimmon, Eastern Persimmon, Possumwood, American Ebony, White Ebony, Bara-Bara, Boa-Wood, Butterwood, Kaki, Japanese Persimmon, Oriental Persimmon Ornamental Persimmon.
Fruiting species
Diospyros kaki, Diospyros lotus and Diospyros virginiana. We also grow the Diospyros texana.
Fact Sheet
Zone: 4 to 10 (individual varieties vary, eg, 5-8)
Height: short to very tall (varieties vary, usually below 20’ )
Native: North America and Asia
Bloom Time: May – June
Bloom Color: white (can have green hues)
Fruit Maturity: Sept – Dec
Self-fertile: usually but not always (varieties vary)
Sun: full (will tolerate shade but produces less fruit)
Water: medium (mature trees tolerate drought & heat)
Soil: adaptable (wide range)
Maintenance: low
Growth Rate: slow to fast (varieties vary)
Deciduous or evergreen: deciduous
Edible¹: fruit, leaves (more information is below)
Medicinal²: yes (discussed below)
Commercial viability: strong (discussed below)
Family / Genus: Ebenaceae / Diospyros
Remarks: attracts pollinators; very important wildlife food; tolerates deer; pest and disease resistant; most cultivars are self-fertile; tolerates the Black Walnut tree
Four types of Persimmon trees
Four types of Persimmon fruit trees grow in North America:
1. Native American
2. American
3. Asian
4. Hybrid (a mix between American & Asian trees)
The type of tree will influence general characteristics such as height, fruit astringency, fruit size and shape, self-fertility, and cold tolerance (USDA zone). Except for the Native American tree, each type includes many varieties (also called, “cultivars”).
For example, the Izu Persimmon variety is a type of Asian Persimmon. The Izu has the general characteristics of an Asian Persimmon tree (a short tree) and has characteristics specific to that one variety, the Izu ;).
Self-fertility is a LONG subject. Native American are never self-fertile. Typically, American Persimmon are “partially” self-fertile. They will benefit from having a male tree to ensure good crops. New varieties of American Persimmon are self-fertile (Prairie Dawn, Prairie Gem, Prairie Sun). Asian and Hybrid Persimmon are self-fertile. I don’t know of any Asian or Hybrid Persimmon that are not self-fertile.
| Type | Species | Varieties | Height | Self-fertile | Seedless fruit? | Astringent fruit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American (Native) | Diospyros virginiana | One | VERY tall | No | No | Yes |
| American | Diospyros virginiana | Several | Tall | Partially or Yes | No | Yes |
| Asian | Diospyros kaki | MANY | Short | Yes | Yes (often) | No (often) |
| Hybrid | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | MANY | depends on variety | Yes | No (often) | Yes (often) |
Native American Persimmon tree
Diospyros virginiana is a true native to North America. It’s also named the Common Persimmon. There’s only ONE variety — the native tree. Native Persimmon trees grow at a moderate rate, and up to 60 feet tall. The fruit is astringent so it must be eaten when fully ripe (when soft to the touch). Fruit size is small. Native Diospyros virginiana fruit is under 2 inches, and bearing age may be up to 10 years. However, it is the most cold hardy of all Persimmon trees (zone 4 – 9). HEPPY grows the Native Persimmon tree.
American varieties
Diospyros virginiana varieties grow moderate to fast. They can grow to “30-75 feet if not pruned.” Typically, the fruit is astringent and fruit-size will range from small to large. Bearing age is within 5 years, and they have cold/heat hardiness that is comparable to the native American tree (zone 4 – 9). Most varieties are self-fertile and the fruit’s shape is either round or pumpkin-like. HEPPY does not grow any American cultivated varieties :(. They get too tall for our Landscape Architecture!
American named varieties
Varieties of the American Persimmon include the Barbara’s Blush, Claypool, Dollywood, Early Golden, Elmo, Garretson, Geneva Long, Valene Beauty, Korp, Lehmans Delight (100-46), Lena, Meader, Meyers, Morris Burton, Prairie Dawn, Prairie Gem, Prarie Star (Early Jewell), Prarie Sun, Prok, Ruby, Szukis, Weber, Yates /juhl, 100-42, 100-43, 100-45, and 100-47. The variety’s name would be, Diospyros virginiana ‘Early Golden‘, for example. Some are very rare; they are developed and traded by experts in the field (Name your 30 best American persimmons).
Asian varieties
Diospyros kaki are the most common type of Persimmon tree. Asian, Japanese or Oriental are the common names for Diospyros kaki. Growth speed is moderate to fast, and are typically a smaller tree. They usually grow to 10 – 15 feet tall. There are many varieties of Asian Persimmon. Some varieties are non-astringent and fruit-size will range from a medium to large. However, Asian Persimmon are typically less cold hardy. Zones 5, 6 or 7 are the lowest USDA zones. Most varieties are self-fertile and the fruit’s shape varies from round to pumpkin to acorn shaped. Bearing age is within 5 years. HEPPY grows five Asian varieties. Asian are our favorite type of trees!
Asian named varieties
Cardinal, Chocolate, Coffee Cake, Eureka, Fire Crystal, Fuping Jian Shi, Fuyu “Fuyugaki”, Early Fuyu, Giant Fuyu, Sweet Fuyu, Wase Fuyu Matsumoto, Giombo, Great Wall, Hachiya, Hana Gosho, Imoto Fuyu, Izu, Jiro, Jiro Early, Jiro Maekawa, Midia, Miss Kim, Oriole, Phoenix, Raven, Robin, Saijo, Sheng, Suruga, Tamopan, Tanenashi, Triumph, and 81-11. The variety’s name would be, Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya‘, for example. Some are very rare.
Hybrid varieties
Hybrid Persimmon trees are a cross between American and Asian trees, Diospyros virginiana x kaki. There are MANY varieties of hybrids.
Hybrid varieties grow in many shapes and sizes. Each variety has a unique mix of characteristics, such as fruit flavor and size, astringency, and seedlessness. They generally take-on characteristics similar to the America lineage (Diospyros virginiana) or Asian lineage (Diospyros kaki). However, the Kasandra is a variety that is truly a mix of the two lineages.
HEPPY grows three hybrid varieties — Kasandra, Nikita’s Gift and Rosseyanka.
Other varieties of Persimmon trees
Here are two odd-ball Persimmon trees. We grow one of them, and the other is on our Wish List!
Diospyros lotus
The Caucasian Persimmon is also know as the Date Plum, False Lote, Lilac or Lotus Persimmon. It’s native to southwest Asia and southeast Europe. The fruit is small but juicy. It’s yellow when ripe. This tree is on HEPPY’s Wish List.
Diospyros texana
The Texas Persimmon grows in Texas and Northern Mexico! HEPPY is growing it! This is a very odd Persimmon tree. I describe it below!
Persimmon trees in landscaping and garden ideas
Persimmon trees grow tall or short, and grow a wide variety of fruit size and other characteristics! It is one of my favorite frit trees! The tree is very drought resistant and easy to maintain.
Landscape Architecture
The Persimmon tree is an excellent single accent tree in landscape architecture. Plant one along a path or road, or plant one in the corner of a backyard. Be mindful that mature Persimmon trees produce a lot of fruit. Some varieties produce large fruit! Be mindful to select the ideal tree and location. Some varieties have the classic, attractive fall foliage and the orange fruit typically remain on the tree after the leaves fall to the ground. Persimmon trees fit in any landscape.
Garden Ideas
These trees are very versatile. They grow in part shade. However, planting them in full sun produces more fruit. They tolerate city conditions and poor soils (one website cites, “Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil”). However, Persimmon grow best in well drained, rich soil.
How to eat Persimmon fruit?
1, 2 HEPPY cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant for food or medicinally. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
The fruit, seeds, leaves and bark were found to have edible or medicinal uses.
Edible fruit
Persimmon fruit are very sweet, luscious, rich-in-flavor, and may be eaten fresh off the tree. Here’s a youtube video of us taste-testing fruit from our trees (please subscribe 😉. Ripe fruit is sugar sweet when picked soft off a tree. Persimmon fruit’s texture is the best of any fruit. The fruit is an incredible pudding-jello-sweet-mushy-yet-firm fruit o’ goodness!
The fruit can be dried or cooked to make breads, pies, preserves, pudding, and cake.
However, when to pick fruit is dependent on if it’s astringent or non-astringent variety. Like the Goumi, astringent varieties must be eaten when it’s fully ripe (jelly soft).
Hoshigaki and Dried Persimmon
Drying Persimmon is performed across Asia. It is common in Japan. The process is called, Hoshigaki. You’ll need to know a few tricks, be patient, and wala, you have your own dried fruit with no chemicals. This person provides a straight-forward vid on her process. I’ve read that the process makes the dried fruit SUPER sweet.
Dehydration is another method. We look forward to trying this at HEPPY. This source is brief and won’t drown your face in ads 😉
Persimmon recipes
Persimmon Health Benefits
Persimmon is naturally bestowed with bioactive molecules including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic, carotenoids, dietary fiber, and etc. Carotenoids and flavonoids are amongst the high potency natural antioxidant.
Persimmon leaves and fruit have “imperative significance” (vital importance) for coronary health because of hypocholesterolemic, anti-atherosclerosis and antioxidant properties. In some Asian countries, persimmon leaves are used in tea formulations to cure hypertension. Additionally, Persimmon health benefits include reducing the medical and health consequences of diabetes (link to the NIH study).
Another NIH study listed the Persimmon fruit health benefits:
1. antioxidant (“radical scavenging”)
2. antihypertensive (decreases blood pressure)
3. antiatherosclerosis (assures heart health)
Plants For A Future sites sources: A decoction of the boiled fruit was used to treat bloody stools…. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and are used as an antiscorbutic….the inner-bark is highly astringent[and] used as a mouth rinse in the treatment of thrush and sore throats….
Persimmon is a healthy fruit, like the other native nutritional ‘giant’, the Pawpaw.
HEPPY will provide more content about the Persimmon fruit has health benefits. Please volunteer at, or donate to HEPPY to move this project along!
What is Astringent and Non Astringent Persimmon fruit?
Persimmon fruit is referred to as Astringent or Non-astringent. I talk about astringent vs non-astringent fruit in my vids. It matters. Astringency influences when you can eat the fruit :).
All fully ripe and soft fruit are non-astringent. However, astringent varieties must be eaten when soft. Non-astringent varieties can be eaten firm OR soft. For example, Nikita’s Gift produces an astringent fruit (eat when the fruit is soft). On the other hand, the Izu produces a non-astringent fruit (eat when the fruit is firm or soft). Overall, picking soft fruit from a tree is always the sweetest. No matter if it’s an astringent or non-astringent variety.
What happens if I eat Astringent fruit?
Astringency fruit makes your mouth pucker. You’ll pucker-up really good. Chokeberry, Wild Plums, Goumi Berry are astringency fruit until they’re ripe. The puckering is caused by a BENEFICIAL bioactive compound called, tannins.
Health Benefits of Tannins
Tannins are biologically potent compounds. They have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-convulsant, antitumor, and other properties. Another study shows that Persimmon fruit tannin-rich fiber reduces cholesterol levels in humans.
Why the puckering? Tannin cells present in the fruit are crushed and soluble tannins are released thus resulting astringent sensation (a dry, “puckering” sensation in the mouth], according to the NIH report, Diospyros kaki fruit: hidden phytochemicals and health claims.
Volunteer to perform more research. Does cold temperatures affect tannins? For example, does an early freeze increase or decrease the tannins on fruit still hanging on the tree?
Caring for the Persimmon tree: growing and pruning
A sunny location and well-draining soil is optimal for Persimmon trees. However, they grow in patrial shade and tolerate many soils. They tolerate many conditions. Plant the tree 12 to 15 feet away from the next tree, house, etc.
Sunlight and Location
A sunny location is important. Full sun assures a healthy tree and the most fruit. They grow in partial shade but won’t fruit as well. Plant the tree at least 12 to 15 feet away from the next tree, a house, etc. Boggy and wet conditions are not good (for any fruiting tree).
When to plant
It’s best to plant all fruit trees when they are dormant or, when it’s not hot. However, you can plant this hardy tree any time.
Soil
Persimmon trees can tolerate heavy clay soil better than any fruit tree. However, well-draining soil is optimal. They tolerate nutritionally poor soil. Of course, that will cause the tree to take longer to become established.
Preferred soil is well-draining with organic material in the soil.
Watering
Persimmon need little or no water once established. However, IF there’s a dry-spell and heat — in late spring or early summer — watering the tree will encourage a healthy fruit-set.
One late-winter I planted three bare-root Persimmon trees. I dug a big hole. The soil mix was largely native, clay soil with some organic material. The root ball itself was nested in excellent soil with a lot of perlite, organic soil, gravel, and some clay. That spring was dry and the summer hot. I watered the three NEWLY PLANTED trees twice!
Fertilizing
Be careful to not over-fertilize Persimmon. Organic mulch around the base of the tree is good.
ONE annual application of a balanced is good. Apply 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 in late winter or early spring. Too much nitrogen will cause fruit to drop. However, fruit-drop a few weeks after they bloom is normal! It’s the tree self-regulating its fruit load.
Pests and disease
Persimmon have no serious insect or disease problems. There ARE pests and diseases for all trees. However, it’s rare for the Persimmon. We do have leaf spot and spots on the fruit. Leaf spot has no major impact on the tree and spots on the fruit is only skin-deep.
Pruning
Pruning all fruit trees is important. However, little pruning is needed on the Persimmon. Start when the tree is young. Create a good, balanced structure. Then, only maintenance pruning needs to be done. Pruning in the winter is best.
Structural Pruning
Structural pruning is about creating a balanced tree. It’s best to do this when the tree is young. However, Persimmon trees can be pruned hard at any time.
From the trunk, “train” the branches’ direction and height. I prune to have 4 main branches growing laterally in 4 different directions. For height, I want main branches growing 5 – 6 feet above the ground. This makes picking the fruit easier. This balanced structure spreads the weight. Persimmon fruit are many, and sometime large and heavy. Finally, a balanced structure spreads shade evenly. That decreases the growth of weeds and keeps the soil cool in the summer.
Maintenance Pruning
Prune-away unnecessary limbs, such as limbs growing through the center of the tree. I prune limbs that “point” downward because once they bear fruit, the fruit will be on the ground. Prune branches that are not healthy because that’s entry point for potential pests and disease.
Prune the tree to improve air circulation through the tree. Open-up the tree so that more sunlight can reach more areas, which helps fruit to develop and sweeten. Finally, good pruning removes excess limbs that will rub and bruise fruit (especially in windy conditions).
Altogether, pruning unnecessary branches and limbs allows more energy to flowers and fruit!
Technical aspects of Persimmon tree: astringency, seedless & self-fertility
Understanding the Persimmon tree can get technical. MORE will be written here as I learn what influences astringency, seedless fruit and self-fertility.
“pollination variant” & “pollination constant” characteristics
this is a very intelligent blurb from California Rare Fruit Growers. it explains how pollination affects astringency. at HEPPY, we are tolerant to the affect and, because we grow a wide variety of trees, are not concerned about the complexity that “pollination variant” & “pollination constant” creates. BUT if you were to grow ONE tree or one variety, this should influence your decision.
California Rare Fruit Growers: “Persimmons can be classified into two general categories: those that bear astringent fruit until they are soft ripe and those that bear nonastringent fruits. Within each of these categories, there are cultivars whose fruits are influenced by pollination (pollination variant) and cultivars whose fruits are unaffected by pollination (pollination constant). Actually, it is the seeds, not pollination per se, that influences the fruit. An astringent cultivar must be jelly soft before it is fit to eat, and such cultivars are best adapted to cooler regions where persimmons can be grown. The flesh color of pollination-constant astringent cultivars is not influenced by pollination. Pollination-variant astringent cultivars have dark flesh around the seeds when pollinated. A nonastringent persimmon can be eaten when it is crisp as an apple. These cultivars need hot summers, and the fruit might retain some astringency when grown in cooler regions. Pollination-constant nonastringent (PCNA) persimmons are always edible when still firm; pollination-variant nonastringent (PVNA) fruit are edible when firm only if they have been pollinated.”
Self-fertility
American persimmons produce flowers that are either male or female, but not both; thus both sexes need to be present for cross pollination to take place and fruit to be produced. Asian persimmons may produce male, female, and/or perfect flowers on the same tree and do not need cross-pollination to set fruit. Many Asian cultivars are also parthenocarpic, meaning they produce seedless fruit without being pollinated. American and Asian trees will not cross-pollinate each other (Parker & Reighard, 1999) (Zimmerman, 2013). Gina Marzolo, graduate student of agricultural sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Propagating Persimmon
Grafting “scion” to a healthy tree is the most common type of propagation. This section provides information of grafting Persimmon. Alternatively, you may choose to propagate Persimmon trees from seed.
Grafting Persimmon
Grafting Persimmon requires scion and a healthy tree. The scion is grafted ONTO a healthy tree.
Scion wood: identify and gather
Scion wood must be harvested while the tree is dormant. Select last year’s growth, aka, “1 year wood”. What does that mean? In the Northern Hemisphere, harvest scion wood in Jan, Feb or early March. Harvest by pruning the branch (“wood”) that grew last year (last year, April through October).
One-year wood extends from the tip of a branch down to a growth-ring-collar looking part of the branch. The growth ring is the transition where last year’s bud started growing from. It’s easy to spot. Just start at the tip and work down to spot the growth-ring-collar. One-year wood can be 6” – 24” (inches) long, depending on how vigorously your tree grew. Also, the color of one-year wood looks different. Typically, the skin is cleaner and lighter-in-color.
Harvest one-year wood with about 6 buds on each piece of scion. Be sure to store the scion properly (see below).
Watch us identify and gather scion wood from our trees. We’ll graft the scion to the Native American trees here at HEPPY.
Scion wood: storing
Place the scion in a moistened (not wet) paper towel. Roll-up the paper towel so it makes contact with the scion. The moist paper towel will keep the scion hydrated during storage.
Don’t make the paper towel too wet. Otherwise the scion will get moldy and will be of no value.
Store scion in a non-porous bag such as a zip lock bag. Don’t let the wood dry. Store scion in a fridge. NEVER in the freeze scion. The recommended temp is 32-38° F to maintain dormancy. Avoid long-term contact with ethylene gas. David Osborn and Dr. Miller add more details about storing and grafting.
When and How To Graft
May to July is an ideal time to graft. The tree that you’re grafting TO must be fully leafed-out. The tree will be surging in growth and the bark can be lifted from the underlying wood.
There are many grafting techniques. Ultimately, you must connect the cambium payers of the scion and the receiving plant. Then, secure the union with grafting rubber (or rubberband). Finally, use Parafilm tape (or wax) to prevent the union from drying out. Grafting is not difficult. It takes practice. Experienced grafters are about 90+% successful.
Here are credible resources. I provide links and the pdf (the webpages keep moving so I downloaded the pdfs!).
- Grafting Persimmons in Two Steps by David A. Osborn and Dr. Karl V. Miller. Here’s the pdf with my notes.
- Basic Grafting Techniques by Mississippi State University. Here’s the pdf.
- Comprehensive Techniques of Grafting. I cannot identify the author.
Persimmon scion for sale
We sell Persimmon scion through March/April of each year. Dormant scion wood will be cut fresh and mailed same-day! We’ll ship immediately if you request but I recommend that you allow us to ship in March/April (the scion will be wrapped and packaged, of course). March/April shipping assures dormant wood and minimum storage time on your end. NEVER freeze scion; store in a fridge. Resources are above
We take payments by CashApp, PayPal (+3% fee) and Zelle. The price is $7.00 per 8-10” scion (one-year wood) + $10.00 for shipping & supplies.
*** HOW TO BUY:
1). select your order (variety and quantity of scion), your payment method (CashApp, PayPal [+3% fee] and Zelle), select when you want it shipped (immediately or in March), and provide your address.
2). email the 4 bits of info to, usc333 [at] gmail [dot] com.
3). I’ll respond within a day or 2 with total price (I will round-off the total price for orders over $55 or so).
4). make your payment and I’ll email a confirmation within a day or 2. I’ll also email a confirmation once the scion is shipped.
*** STORING SCION:
See just above.
*** INFO IN THE TABLE BELOW:
1). “scion availability” is updated as time permits (UPDATED on 01-17-2024); and
2). height, astringency, fruit size, fruit texture, seedlessness is based ON WHAT I SEE, and NOT necessarily what is published about each variety. For example, Seedlessness will vary! Our Rosseyanka was sold as ‘seedless’ and it may have been. But our Rosseyanka fruit had seeds in 2023. Matsumoto was seedless in 2023 but one yr they had seeds! Crazy tree….
| Variety | Type | Scion Availability | Height | Astringent | Fruit Size | Fruit | Seedless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuyu (Fuyugaki) | Diospyros kaki | TONs | 15′ | Yes | Small | Dry & OK | Yes |
| Giant Fuyu | Diospyros kaki | sold out | just planted | No | Large | just planted | Yes |
| Izu | Diospyros kaki | sold out | just planted | No | Large | just planted | Yes |
| Kasandra | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | OK amount | 15′ & still growing | Yes | Small | Juicy & sweet | No |
| Matsumoto (Wase Fuyu) | Diospyros kaki | Very limited | 8′ | No | Large | Excellent * | Yes |
| Nikita’s Gift | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | Good amount | 15′ | Yes | Medium | Juicy & sweet | No |
| Rosseyanka | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | TONs | VERY tall | Yes | Small | Dry & sweet | No |
| Saijo | Diospyros kaki | sold out | just planted | Unknown | Unknown | just planted | No |
* Best if fruit is picked soft off the tree. Fruit is less ideal if picked hard and ripened indoors.
EARLY COLD WEATHER (zone 7): Early and sustained cold weather appears to slow or stop the ripening process. It’s my experience. “Cold” means 30-32 degrees or lower, for several days and nights. In these conditions, we pick the fruit hard and ripen them indoors. However, ripening fruit indoors will decrease the overall sugar content and, decrease what I call the ‘jello’ness’ of the fruit’s flesh.
Persimmon commercial market
The commercial viability is strong. Pick-your-own farms, and farmer’s market products are easily possible (fresh fruit, jams, baked good, etc). It’s a highly versatile, low maintenance and great producing fruit tree.
Farmers’ market or cottage food industry
The Persimmon tree is a prolific producer. Fresh fruit can be stored, dried to make a chemical-free dried fruit, and preserved other ways (jams). There’s recipes above and I need volunteers to explore the options!
Commercial or private landscaping
The Persimmon tree is ideal landscape tree for the conscientious consumer (home or property owner). It produces a LOT of fruit, so locate the tree appropriately.
The tree is attractive. It has lush green leaves and many varieties grow compact. It’s easy to maintain so it fits into a backyard and front yard landscaping. It’s hardy so it’ll work in commercial landscaping too!
think BIG
Persimmon as a specialty wood
The wood is so had that it’s used for driver golf clubs. Specialty items made of wood from this tree is both durable and attractive.
Persimmon Oil
Also, oil can be obtained from the seeds and tea is made from persimmon tree leaves. HOW that is properly done deserves careful, meaningful reading. Plants For A Future cites sources.
There’s a lot to explore and we invite interns and volunteers to focus on the commercial viability of this WONDERFUL tree here at HEPPY.
Persimmon growing at HEPPY
We grow these Persimmon trees. Below is my feedback on each one!
*** INFO IN THE TABLE BELOW IS BASED ON what is published about each variety.
| Variety | Species | Max Height | USDA Zone | Self-fertile | Astringent | Fruit Size | Seedless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American (native) | Diospyros virginiana | 35-60′ | 4 to 9 | No | Yes | Small | No |
| Fuyu (Fuyugaki) | Diospyros kaki | 20′ | 7 to 9 | Yes | Yes | Small | Yes |
| Giant Fuyu | Diospyros kaki | 20′ | 7 to 9 | Yes | No | Large | Yes |
| Izu | Diospyros kaki | 20′ | 7 to 9 | Yes | No | Large | Yes |
| Kasandra | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | ?Tall | 5b to 9 | Yes | Yes | Small | No |
| Matsumoto (Wase Fuyu) | Diospyros kaki | 15′ | 6 to 9 | Yes | No | Large | Yes |
| Nikita’s Gift | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | 20′ | 5 to 9 | Yes | Yes | Medium | No |
| Rosseyanka | Diospyros virginiana x kaki | 25′ | 5 to 9 | Yes | Yes | Small | No |
| Saijo | Diospyros kaki | 20′ | 7 to 9 | Yes | Yes | Medium | No |
| Texas | Diospyros texana | 15-35′ | 7 to 9 | No | Yes | Small | No |
Each tree we grow are described below. They’re in the order of our most favorite to least favorite.
1. Nikita's Gift Persimmon (Hybrid)
Nikita’s Gift is our favorite tree. It’s gone back-and-forth with the Matsumoto for the #1 spot. However, it’s resumed the #1 position in 2023.
The fruit ripens on the tree and is SUGAR sweet. Fruit size is very nice, and the fruit texture is jello’y. The flesh is very dark. Like candy! Production is excellent, and the tree size is easily kept at 15′ or less. It grows compact, with stout limbs. Nikita’s Gift are known to begin producing fruit from a young age. Ours did NOT disappoint! And it’s the most attractive looking Persimmon tree. It has large, deep green shiny leaves.
Nikita’s Gift is a hybrid. It’s a cross between an American and Asian varieties (Diospyrus virginiana x kaki). However, it has characteristics similar to the Asian Persimmon (kaki) varieties. Nikita Botanic Garden in Yalta, Ukraine developed this tree. Nikita’s Gift is an excellent tree for a small yard or if you want excellent Persimmon fruit.
Our tree is named “Nikki”. The Nikita’s Gift was purchased from Edible Landscape in 2016.
2. Matsumoto (Wase Fuyu) Asian Persimmon
Our Matsumoto is a favorite Persimmon tree. It’s gone back-and-forth with the Nikita’s Gift for the #1 spot. The Wase Fuyu Matsumoto produces LARGE, non-astringent seedless fruit.
Initially, she grew so poorly that I was going to replace her! It grew poorly and looked unhealthy. We thinned most fruit, and provide mulch and fertilizer. It kept growing poorly. However, in 2020 she ‘woke up’ and began growing. In 2023 she exploded with fruit. Branches and limbs have filled-in and the trunk looks healthy! However, after seven years the Matsumoto is still only 10 feet tall.
The fruit is EXCEPTIONAL if picked soft off the tree. The fruit is less ideal if picked hard and ripened indoors. Our experience is that an early and sustained cold weather event appears to slow or stop the ripening process (on the tree). In these conditions, we pick the fruit hard and ripen them indoors. However, ripening fruit indoors will decrease the overall sugar content and, decrease what I call the ‘jello’ness’ of the fruit’s flesh. It’s a great fruit. However, Matsumoto fruit picked soft off the tree is life-changing :). It’s truly like candy fruit.
This is a true Asian variety, Diospyros kaki. The Matsumoto was purchased from Edible Landscape in 2016.
3. Kasandra Persimmon (Hybrid)
The Kasandra is producing more and more fruit. I’m getting an appreciation for how delicious the fruit is.
The fruit is excellent. The fruit’s flesh is a lot like the Nikita’s Gift. Very sweet and great texture. However, the fruit is smaller than the Nikita’s Gift, but bigger than the Rosseyanka and Fuyu!
There’s very little reliable information on the Kasandra.
What I know about the Kasandra:
1. It grows fast. I sense that it’ll be a tall tree.
2. Fruit is astringent, with seeds, slightly acorn shaped and delicious.
3. It has the richest looking leaves of all our Persimmons. Huge, dark green glossy leaves. And not ONE hint of late-year leaf fungus. She’s just green!
4. Cliff England liked it a lot.
What I’ve read about the Kasandra:
1. It’s cold hardy. Cliff has it at zone 5b. University of Kentucky mentions that it’s cold hardy too.
Kasandra is a hybrid. It’s a cross between an American and Asian (Diospyrus virginiana x kaki). It has characteristics similar to BOTH. I sense that it will get tall (leans American). However, the leaves are large and glossy (leans Asian)! Overall, the fruit is a little larger than American varieties but MUCH juicier. The Kasandra is a mix of “Great Wall crossed by an F2 Male of Rosseyanka Hybrid back crossed to Virginiana.”
The Kasandra was purchased from England’s Orchard and Nursery in 2018. We purchased the Kasandra as a newly grafted plants. It had 6″ of growth off grafted scion. However, it sat in a pot for years. It was planted in 2021, and grew like a weed!
4. Giant Fuyu Asian Persimmon
Giant Fuyu was selected for it’s large, non-astringent fruit. It’s an Asian Persimmon so keeping her pruned to 15 feet should be easy. It was planted in late-winter, 2023. She DID give us one fruit, and the tree looks great (Dec 2023)!
The Giant Fuyu is describe as a very large hybrid of the Fuyu Jiro. The Giant Fuyu Persimmon tree ripens in November and is non-astringent. The fruit is a dark orange color when ripe and has a delicious smooth texture. The Giant Fuyu was purchased from Willis Orchards in 2023.
5. Izu Asian Persimmon
Izu was selected for being a short tree that produces large non-astringent fruit. It was planted in late-winter, 2023. She DID give us one fruit, and the tree looks great (Dec 2023)!
The Izu is describe as the most dwarfing Asian Persimmon. However, it does not lack in vigor like many dwarf fruit trees. The Izu was purchased from Willis Orchards in 2023.
6. Rosseyanka Persimmon (Hybrid)
Rosseyanka has very positive reputation. However, I don’t see why. It’s a great tree but it grows really tall, and the fruit are small. Sugar sweet but small.
Our Rosseyanka grew lighting quick. It EASILY added 3 feet of growth per year. HEAVY pruning is a regular event. However, it did not fruit quickly so be patient. Rosseyanka is known to take a few more years to produce fruit.
Ours began producing a lot of fruit after five years (in 2021).
I’ve read that the fruit is seedless and burnt orange in color. Our Rosseyanka fruited has seeds, and the fruit-color is identical to our Fuyu (beautiful but straight-orange color).
Rosseyanka is hybrid. It’s a cross between an American and Asian varieties (Diospyrus virginiana x kaki). However, it has characteristics similar to the Native American Persimmon (virginiana). Rosseyanka is an excellent tree if you want small sweet fruit from a large tree.
Our tree is named “Rosey”. She was purchased from Edible Landscape in 2016. Her first fruit developed in 2021!
7. Fuyu (Fuyugaki) Asian Persimmon
Fuyu (Fuyugaki) is a true Asian variety, Diospyros kaki. “Fuyu” is a broad term for a family of varieties (eg, Fuyu Jiro).
In a moment of weakness I purchased her from a big-box store, Lowes. DON’T do as I did. I recommend buying specific varieties. Select specific varieties so that you know exactly which traits and characteristics the tree will produce! The Fuyu (Fuyugaki) is an ‘OK’ tree. However, there are SO many varieties of Persimmon! varieties with clear and distinct characteristics.
Our Fuyu (Fuyugaki) produces a lot of fruit. The fruit are small, and the texture is dry. The fruit look identical to the Rosseyanka but is not as sweet as the Rosseyanka.
I will graft to it in the future. The fruit is “OK” but there so many better varieties.
8. American (Native) Persimmon
The American Persimmon, Diospyros virginiana is native to North America! It’s also known as the Common or Eastern Persimmon.
About 20 trees grow wild at HEPPY. We never planted them! However, they’re all males. Males Persimmon trees do not produce fruit. However, we can graft other varieties of Persimmon to them! A local church has a very mature Diospyros virginiana female tree. It produces TONs of fruit. Ihe fruit’s shape is round, and light orange in color. This vid’ shows us eating native fruit from that tree 😉 (Minute 12:40.)
Diospyros virginiana is used for root stock of most grafted Persimmon trees sold in the States. The roots are tolerant of cold weather and many types of soil. Use it for erosion control, fresh fruit, and the wood is exceptionally hard (used for golf clubs at one time). The fruit is eaten by squirrel, fox, deer, bear, coyote, raccoon, and other wildlife.
optimum fruit-bearing age is 25-50 years, and trees have been reported to reach 150 years of age! USDA PLANTS database shows the native Persimmon’s range from Rhode Island to California!
9. Saijo Asian Persimmon
Saijo was selected because it’s very popular and it makes an acorn-shaped fruit. In Japanese, Saijo means “The very best one”. So I said, why not grow the Saijo !
It was planted in late-winter, 2023. Unlike the Giant Fuyu and Izu, she did NOT us a fruit. However, the tree looks great (Dec 2023)!
The Saijo is describe as a self-fertile Japanese persimmon tree produces gorgeous light pink to white flowers. It’s oblong, astringent fruit is ready to be gently plucked from the tree for fresh eating. The sweet, yellow flesh of the Saijo persimmon has very few seeds. Saijo trees turn orange, red, and yellow, adding beauty to your landscape. “The very best one” indeed. The Saijo was purchased from Willis Orchards in 2023.
10. Texas Persimmon
The Texas Persimmon, Diospyros texana is native to a small area in North America! It grows in southern Texas and northern Mexico. It is unusual, rare and unique. Also, this is NOT our least favorite tree! I specifically drove from California to Texas — to one specific nursery — to get the Diospyros texana!
Texas Persimmon is a multi-trunked bush. However, some may call it a tree! It has a vase-like shape. It tolerates heat and drought. The leaves are much smaller and more of them than the American (virginiana) or Asian (kaki) varieties. Also, it’s an evergreen in zones 8 or warmer. Here at HEPPY, leaves fall in January-February. We are zone 7.
Diospyros texana is dioecious. Plants are either male or female. Both are required to make fruit.
The fruit has black or dark purple skin and flesh. That’s unlike any other persimmon. Fruit size is rather small at 1/2″ (13mm) to 1 1/2″ (38mm). The flavor is described as, “something like a prune, but less tart and more sugary….”
Our Diospyros texana was purchased from Natives of Texas in 2020. I saw several mature Texas Persimmon trees at Natives of Texas. Each were mature and about 15-17 feet tall. At HEPPY, our girl is very slow growing.
References
Plants for a Future: Diospyros[many]
California Rare Fruit Growers: Persimmon
USDA PLANTS Database: Diospyros[many]
Missouri Botanical Garden: Diospyros kaki
Missouri Botanical Garden: Diospyros virginiana
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center: Persimmon
NIH / NCBI (PubMed): Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit: hidden phytochemicals and health claims
Other varieties of Persimmon trees
There are MANY varieties across the globe!
Diospyros malabarica
This Persimmon is called the Gaub Tree, Malabar Ebony, Black-and-white Ebony, Pale Moon Ebony. It’s native to India and South East Asia. It grows to over 100 feet tall! Fruit are round and yellow when ripe. However, the fruit may be astringent even when ripe! Diospyros malabarica.
Diospyros maritima
The Malaysian Persimmon is the common name, or the Broadleaf Ebony and Sea Ebony tree. It’s native to Japan, Taiwan, Malesia and northern Australia. It grows to 50 feet tall. Let me know if YOU know more about it! Diospyros maritima.