How tall do common persimmon trees grow?

Common persimmon trees typically grow 35 to 60 feet tall in residential landscapes, with a rounded, upright canopy. In the wild, exceptional specimens can grow much taller. Growth rate is slow to moderate, so trees take many years to reach full size. Plant persimmons where they have room to spread and where falling fruit won't create a mess.

Where do common persimmon trees grow?

Common persimmon trees grow natively from southern New England through the southeastern United States and west to Kansas and Texas. They adapt to nearly any soil type and growing conditions, from dry uplands to moist bottomlands. This flexibility makes the common persimmon a low-maintenance native choice for many residential and commercial landscapes across its range.

Do you need two persimmon trees to get fruit?

Yes, you typically need two common persimmon trees, one male and one female, to get fruit. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees, and only female trees produce persimmons. A male tree nearby provides the pollen needed for good fruit set. A few cultivars can set some fruit on their own, so ask an arborist before planting.

When is persimmon fruit ripe?

Persimmon fruit is ripe when it turns pinkish-orange with a frosted appearance, usually in the fall. Ripe fruit feels very soft, may look slightly wrinkled, and often drops from the tree on its own. Common persimmons tend to ripen from September into winter depending on location. Fruit that is still firm needs more time to ripen.

Why shouldn't you eat an unripe persimmon?

You shouldn't eat an unripe persimmon because it is extremely astringent. Unripe fruit contains high levels of tannins that create a bitter, chalky, mouth-puckering sensation. As the fruit ripens, those tannins break down and the flesh becomes sweet with a high sugar content. Wait until the fruit is fully soft, or has fallen from the tree, before eating it.

Persimmon Tree Varieties, Diseases & Care

Common Persimmon Fruit Tree Care, Tips & Resources

The common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a deciduous tree that is grown for its beautiful foliage and edible fruit, and it is prized for its beauty and wood density. A common persimmon in the landscape averages around 60 feet tall and in its natural environment can be found as large as 132 feet tall.

Common persimmon fruit tree

The common persimmon tree is a native species found in a variety of habitats from southern New England, throughout the southeastern United States, and westward to Kansas and Texas. It is one of the few trees that can grow in almost any type of soil, and can adapt to a wide range of climates. Its thick, glossy leaves are dark green in the summer and turn to shades of reddish-purple in the fall. In the late spring, white fragrant bell shaped flowers give the common persimmon tree a stunning display.

Common persimmon tree with fruit

Diospyros translates from the Greek as “food of the Gods,” and it may come as no surprise that the common persimmon tree is most well known for the delicious orange fruit that it produces in the fall. The delicate male and female persimmon flowers grow on separate trees, and both are essential for adequate fruit production. Ripe fruit will have a pinkish orange tint with a frosted appearance. It is critical to avoid biting into a persimmon before it ripens or falls on the ground. Ripe common persimmon fruit is sweet with high sugar content, making it ideal for many deserts such as sherbet, custards, pudding and cake. Native Americans used to harvest and store dried persimmon fruit.

Persimmon wood is extremely dense and strong, making it ideal for textile shuttles and driver golf clubs. The wood is also used to produce wood turnery, spindles, furniture, and billiard cues. The bark on the common persimmon tree is very similar to alligator skin. It is thick with short furrows that form square block ridges. The unique bark texture and dark brown to black color create beautiful winter interest in a landscape.

Common persimmon leaves

A myth about the common persimmon tree is that when the ovary inside a persimmon fruit is shaped like a spoon, a bad winter is expected. When it is shaped like a fork, a mild winter can be expected. The majority of persimmon fruit that falls to the ground each fall ferments because it is difficult to harvest. A group of industrious Southerners observed the fermenting fruit and capitalized on the idea by creating a delicious persimmon wine.

If you’d like to establish common persimmon trees in your landscape, we can connect you with a reputable and qualified landscape expert that can help you purchase and plant new common persimmon trees. For a complimentary consultation with a certified arborist, contact the location nearest you.

Tree Service for the Common Persimmon Tree

Common persimmon tree service is not very difficult because of a natural immunity to most tree diseases and insects. Occasionally, the fall webworm and the hickory horned devil caterpillar may prey on the common persimmon tree. Tree service may be necessary in extreme cases, but these insects generally do little damage to the persimmon, making it a relatively easy tree to maintain. If you suspect a problem with your common persimmon trees, call a SavATree certified arborist right away for an evaluation and treatment options. Our tree care experts can help protect your trees and keep your landscape beautiful.

Persimmon Tree Varieties & Care