Diospyros virginiana
American Persimmon is a native fruit tree that belongs to the scientific genus Diospyros, meaning “fruit of the gods.” The fruit should be eaten once completely soft, and has a taste of caramelized peach. Its fruit can drop incrementally from late summer into the deep winter. This fact, coupled with its fast growth rate, make it an excellent choice for a silvopasture setting. It can provide an abundant food source for wildlife and is a larval host of the Luna Moth. Its leaves turn sunset orange and red in the fall and it features a distinctive black, blocky bark. These are seedling trees, and the fruit production is variable. These are best used as rootstock or in wildlife settings. This tree is dioecious, meaning a tree will either be male or female and will not self-pollinate. Plant at least five trees for proper pollination.
Check out our recent blog – American Persimmon – Eating the Fruit of the Gods
Zone: 5-8 (Map)
Habitat: Prefers loamy, moist, well-drained soils. Will do poorly in dry soils. Plant in full sun for full fruit production, but will tolerate partial shade.
Growth: 40-60 ft tall, 30 ft wide at maturity.