Diospyros Virginiana Persimmon 7 Gal

American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana

Beautiful, adaptable, WNC native tree with pleasing green foliage and ample orange fruits. Once bletted (basically when it feels like a ripe tomato, with a little bit of give), soft ripe fruit can be eaten fresh, in pies, jams, jellies, ice cream, beer, syrups, and more. The fruit is naturally high in Vitamin C; they can also be dried. These trees are much sturdier and more resilient than Asian Persimmon trees.

Leaves can be used to make herbal teas + tonics. 

Plant multiple trees to ensure pollination. 

🌳Juglone tolerant - can be planted near Black Walnut trees.

🌞Sunlight - best fruit production in full sunlight (6-8 hours of direct sunlight).

35-60’T x 25-35’W. 

Zones 4-9, cold hardy down to -30F.

💚Plant Nerd: Unusually, this plant has a reputation for astringent fruits, but this is due to people eating the fruits before they are ripe. Once ripe, they are a little soft, sweet, and oh so tasty fall treat. 

The seeds can be roasted to make a coffee substitute. During the Civil War, they were used as buttons.

American Persimmons are in the ebony family, and (eventually) grow gorgeous close-grained and almost black wood.