Diospyros Virginiana Common Persimmon:
🌳 General Overview:
Family: Ebenaceae (same family as ebony trees)
Height: Typically 9–15 m (30–50 ft), but can grow taller in ideal conditions
Crown: Rounded, spreading crown with drooping branches
Leaves: Oval, glossy green in summer; turn yellowish-green to reddish-purple in fall
Flowers: Small, fragrant, pale yellow to creamy-white; trees are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate trees)
Fruit: Orange to deep orange, plum-sized berries that ripen in late autumn
🍊 Fruit & Taste:
Fruits are astringent when unripe due to tannins, but become sweet and rich after frost or full ripening.
Used fresh, dried, or in baking (persimmon pudding, breads, jams, wines).
🌱 Growing Conditions:
USDA Zones: 4–9
Soil: Tolerates a wide range, from sandy to clay; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Pests/Disease: Generally resistant to most pests and diseases.
🌿 Uses & Benefits:
Culinary: Edible fruit rich in vitamins A & C, antioxidants, and fiber.
Wood: Dense, hard wood used for golf club heads, furniture, and specialty items.
Wildlife: Fruits feed deer, raccoons, foxes, opossums, and many bird species.
Ornamental: Attractive tree with colorful fall foliage and decorative fruits.