American Persimmon


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American Persimmon — Diospyros virginiana

The Northern Date-Sweet-High Energy

The American persimmon is one of the most luscious and sweet fruits containing up to 30% sugar. 'If not ripe,' said Captain John Smith of Jamestown, 'it will draw a man's mouth awrie with much torment.' And that's the real challenge of growing persimmons north of their native range. Unripe fruit will make it difficult to use them for anything. As the fruit ripens the astringency decreases and the sweetness increases. The ripening process is helped with warm fall weather. Late frosts help too finally bringing out the sugar and decreasing the natural tannins found in the fruit. Trees can grow throughout the north even in Minnesota or Maine but in short season areas the fruits will not be edible to humans. About 25 years ago, we began surrounding our property line with American persimmons from different northern seed sources. Today we have many trees producing a wide variety of shapes and sizes of fruit. Ripening occurs from mid-September through late November. After the leaves fall, the fruit hangs on throughout the fall and winter. All types of wildlife consume this high-energy fruit either in the tree or on the ground. A favorite of deer, persimmons are a strong attractant and will bring them in quantity to your property even in the dead of winter. Deer rarely browse seedling trees since the foliage is poisonous to them. Persimmon is in the ebony family and the wood is very valuable for special uses like golf club heads. Dark heartwood. Persimmons will grow in a variety of soils, including clay, sand or wet muck. Tolerant to shade and competition from grass or trees. Trees begin producing at 6-8 years of age. Dioecious-male and female flowers on separate plants. A seedling population will contain a 50-50 mix. Space 10-30 ft. Height to 50 to 70 ft.

ECOS-Early Golden Seed Source: Selected plants with good quality fruit and the highest yields in southern Michigan. A good mix for wildlife and human use. Many selected for fruit quality. Parent trees had fruit with few seeds, red coloration, large 2 inch plus size fruits, and early ripening.
This strain is the most northern available commercially.

Price break available at 3. Prices will automatically adjust at ordering.

Hardiness -30 °F.

AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT OCTOBER 15, 2010.

Size	Seed Source	Price	Tax	Quantity
Paper pots, 3-6" ECOS (AMPE_3-6")	ECOS	$ 4.00	6%
25 plants or more in paper pots, 3-6" ECOS (AMPE_3-6"-25)	ECOS	$ 1.40	6%	Minimum 25

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