American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
A hardy, deciduous fruit tree native to the United States, celebrated for its sweet, honey-like autumn fruit and ornamental value. Its dark, glossy green summer foliage turns dramatic shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. In the winter, the tree stands out due to its unique, deeply fissured, blocky gray bark that resembles alligator skin, alongside persistent hanging fruit.
Grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9 and reaches a mature size of 35 to 60 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide. Prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in well-drained, moist, sandy, or loamy soils, but it is highly adaptable and can tolerate poor, dry, or rocky soils, as well as occasional flooding. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.8 (strongly acidic to slightly alkaline), though it prefers slightly acidic soil (6.0 to 6.5).
Native to the Eastern and Central United States, ranging from southern Connecticut and New York, south to Florida, and west to Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
The small, orange-to-purple fruits are exceptionally sweet, rich, and custard-like once they are fully ripe (usually after the first frost). The pulp is widely used in traditional American recipes like persimmon puddings, pies, breads, cakes, and cookies. The fruit can be fermented into beers, wines, and brandies. Historically, the seeds were roasted and ground as a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
The wood is incredibly dense, heavy, and impact-resistant. Because it belongs to the ebony family, the heartwood is dark and highly durable. It is traditionally prized for making golf club heads (persimmon woods), billiard cues, textile shuttles and drumsticks.
The falling fruit provides a critical autumn and winter food source for mammals like deer, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and squirrels. The small, fragrant flowers attract a large variety of native bees and honeybees in late spring. Frequently used for land reclamation and stabilizing soil on slopes or banks because of its deep, aggressive taproot.
Ships with leaves in Spring and Summer and dormant without leaves in Fall and Winter.
Free Shipping to most locations. We cannot ship larger boxes or to AK, HI, APO, US Territories, or areas considered remote without a freight surcharge.
If your temperature is warmer than 89 degrees or colder than 20 degrees, we will hold order until temperature improves. Please put your desired ship date in Special Instructions to Seller at checkout.
All plants are inspected for quality prior to shipment. Plants are rarely damaged in shipping, but if they are, please let us know right away so we can help. If there is any plant damage, take a photo of the package and plants. This will help us solve the problem. Please message us prior to placing your order if you have any questions.
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