Content Detail

Persimmon is native to the southeastern United States. Easily recognized in winter by its unusual rugged, blocky bark, it has thick, dark green leaves that turn a yellow fall color. Female trees produce large orange-brown fleshy fruit that are edible after the first frost. Native persimmon is not readily available in nurseries, but several selected cultivars are produced for their edible fruit.

  • Family (English) Ebony
  • Family (botanic) Ebenaceae
  • Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Wide median
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Illinois, North America
  • Size range Medium tree (25-40 feet), Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Mature height 35 60 feet
  • Mature width 20-35 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, late spring, early summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Narrow, Oval, Round
  • Growth rate Slow
  • Transplants well No
  • Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries, Messy fruit/plant parts
  • Wildlife Browsers, Game birds, Insect pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
  • Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Form and Size

Persimmon is a medium to large size tree reaching 60 feet high.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

Native to the southern United States and up through southern Illinois.

Bark Color and Texture

Bark is rugged and deeply divided into small blocks.

Leaf Arrangement, Size, Shape, and Texture

Simple, alternate leaves with entire margins are 2 to 5 inches long. Summer color is a dark green that turns yellow to reddish-purple in fall.

Flower Arrangement, Shape, and Size

Male and female flowers are on separate trees. Both types of flowers are small, creamy white, fragrant, and urn-shaped. They appear late spring into early summer.

Fruit, Nut, and Seed Descriptions

Female trees produce orange berries that are about 1 inch in diameter and are attractive but messy. They are edible after frost.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Persimmons do best in full sun and moderate to well-drained fertile soil, but they are tolerant of a wide range of soil moisture and pH levels. They will tolerate dry and swampy areas. May be difficult to transplant due to a deep taproot. Persimmon can sucker from the roots, increasing the maintenance of this tree. This species has separate male and female trees. Female trees produce edible fruit which can be messy.

List of Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances

There are no serious pests. Root suckering can be a management problem. Persimmon is tolerant of black walnut toxicity.

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