Easily recognized in winter by its unusual rugged, blocky bark, persimmon 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.
Persimmon is native to the southeastern United States. 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
- Drought tolerance Tolerant
- Other tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites
- 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
