Overview

Bring the beauty and bounty of a native American fruit tree to your landscape with the American Persimmon Tree. This Diospyros virginiana, also known as Common Persimmon, is offered as a 12-24 inch tall bare root specimen, ready to establish itself in your garden. Known for its adaptability and delicious, unique fruit, this tree is a fantastic addition for both its ornamental value and its edible yield. The American Persimmon Tree is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, prized for its sweet, astringent-when-unripe fruit and attractive foliage that turns beautiful shades of yellow and orange in the fall. It’s a robust choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, long-lived fruit producer.

The Diospyros virginiana is a fascinating species, offering more than just fruit. Its dense, hard wood is valued, and its growth habit provides excellent shade. As a bare root plant, it’s an economical and effective way to start your orchard or enhance your backyard ecosystem. These trees are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, making them a popular choice for diverse landscapes. Whether you’re an experienced grower or new to fruit trees, the common persimmon offers a rewarding growing experience.

Key Benefits

The American Persimmon Tree offers numerous advantages for any landscape. Beyond its delicious fruit, it provides ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal throughout the seasons.

• Delicious, Unique Fruit: Enjoy the sweet, flavorful fruit of the Diospyros virginiana, which ripens in the fall and is excellent for fresh eating, baking, or preserves. Once fully ripe, the astringency disappears, leaving a rich, honey-like taste.
• Hardy and Adaptable: This native tree is incredibly resilient, thriving across a wide range of USDA zones (4-9) and tolerating various soil conditions, from moist to dry and sandy to rocky. It’s a reliable choice for many climates.
• Wildlife Attraction: The fruit of the common persimmon is a favorite food source for many wildlife species, including birds, deer, and other small mammals, making it a great addition for supporting local ecosystems.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the bare root tree requires minimal care, making it an excellent option for gardeners seeking a productive yet easy-to-manage fruit tree.
• Attractive Landscape Feature: With its oval to round crown, attractive summer foliage, and vibrant fall colors, the American Persimmon Tree provides significant aesthetic value to any garden or yard.
• Fast Growing: This tree is known for its relatively fast growth rate, allowing you to enjoy its benefits sooner. It quickly develops into a substantial tree, providing shade and fruit.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your American Persimmon Tree is straightforward, especially given its native hardiness. To ensure optimal growth and fruit production for your Diospyros virginiana, consider the following guidelines. This bare root tree will benefit from proper planting and consistent care in its early years. The common persimmon is a robust plant, but a little attention goes a long way in establishing a healthy, productive tree.

For sunlight, the American Persimmon Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade, meaning it prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but can tolerate some afternoon shade in hotter climates. It is adaptable to various soil types but prefers moist, well-drained soil. While it can tolerate sandy, rocky, or infertile soils and dry conditions once established, young trees will benefit from consistent moisture. Water regularly during dry periods, especially during the first few years after planting, to encourage a strong root system. Avoid waterlogging, as persimmons do not like constantly wet feet. Fertilization is generally not heavily required for this native tree; however, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring if soil nutrients are poor. Pruning should focus on removing dead or diseased branches and shaping the tree for good air circulation and fruit access. The fruit tree zones 4-9 designation highlights its cold hardiness and adaptability.

This tree is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States. It’s quite tolerant of both heat and cold once mature. Pests and diseases are generally not a major issue for the American Persimmon Tree. Monitor for common garden pests and address any issues promptly with organic or appropriate treatments. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal problems. Proper care will help your Diospyros virginiana grow into a strong, fruit-bearing specimen.

Size & Details

This offering is for one American Persimmon Tree, provided as a bare root tree specimen, measuring approximately 12-24 inches tall upon arrival. Bare root plants are dormant trees shipped without soil around their roots, which allows for easier shipping and often better establishment if planted correctly during the dormant season. When mature, the Diospyros virginiana is a fast-growing tree that typically reaches impressive heights of 35 to 60 feet (10 to 18 meters) with an attractive oval to round crown, providing ample shade and a significant visual presence in the landscape. The mature width can range from 20 to 35 feet.

This common persimmon is intended for outdoor planting and will begin to produce fruit several years after planting, with full production occurring as the tree matures. The exact time to maturity can vary based on growing conditions and care. The fruit tree zones 4-9 rating ensures its suitability for a broad range of climates. When planting, ensure you dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the spread of the roots without bending them, and backfill with good quality soil. The initial 12-24 inch size makes it easy to handle and plant, allowing it to establish its root system efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this American Persimmon Tree get? A: The American Persimmon Tree is a fast-growing species that typically reaches a mature height of 35 to 60 feet (10 to 18 meters) with an oval to round crown. Its spread can be 20 to 35 feet.
• Q: What size is the Diospyros virginiana when shipped? A: This Diospyros virginiana is shipped as a bare root tree, typically measuring 12-24 inches tall. It is dormant when shipped and will begin to leaf out once planted in appropriate conditions.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The American Persimmon Tree is an outdoor plant, native to North America. It requires ample space to grow and thrives as a landscape or orchard tree.
• Q: How much sunlight does the common persimmon need? A: The common persimmon prefers full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.
• Q: Is this fruit tree zones 4-9 easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the American Persimmon Tree is considered a low-maintenance tree. It is adaptable to various soil types and climates, making it a good choice for both experienced and novice gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the bare root tree arrive in? A: The bare root tree will arrive dormant, meaning it will not have leaves and its roots will be free of soil, typically wrapped to retain moisture. This is a normal and healthy state for bare root plants.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a bare root American Persimmon Tree? A: The best time to plant a bare root tree like the Diospyros virginiana is in late winter or early spring, while the tree is still dormant, before new growth begins.
• Q: What kind of soil does the American Persimmon Tree prefer? A: While adaptable, the American Persimmon Tree thrives best in moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types including sandy, rocky, or even infertile soils, and is also tolerant of dry conditions once established.