American persimmon (#1)
Bare root seedling trees. 1 year old. It typically requires both sexes for fruit, though trees cannot be sexed until they reach flowering age.
Red Feather Select: Seedlings are grown from seed selected from a single tree at Red Feather Farm and Pottery located near the South Mountains in NC. This tree produces larger-than-typical wild fruit in abundance on an annual basis. The image above is a representative sample of fruits. Not available this year
Hobo Woods select: The seed to grow these were obtained from Hobo Woods persimmon farm, owned by Donald Compton, and the place of the most extensive research on American persimmon breeding in the states. Seed was selected from the most productive American persimmon trees at Hobo Woods.
Jerry Lehman select: These trees were grown from seed obtained from cultivars among the orchards of persimmon and pawpaw breeder Jerry Lehman.
Barbara’s Blush progeny: These trees were grown specifically from seed gathered from the wonderful American persimmon cultivar known as Barbara’s Blush.
It takes male pollen to fertilize the female flowers which make fruit, meaning both sexes are required for fruit, but the trees cannot be sexed until flowering age. One can graft female scion wood onto male trees for fruit production. Males can also be coppiced to be kept in a shrub-state to make easy work of gathering the leaves for tea. Yes, they are great as a tea herb.
A native to the eastern US, American Persimmon is a wonderfully sweet and nutritious fruit. It is a great source of potassium and iron, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants. Fruit should be harvested after it falls from the tree to insure it has lost its famous astringency and has maximized its amazing sweetness. When fully ripe the fruits approach 30% sugar content and boasts a whopping 127 calories per 100 grams: a very high-energy fruit, second only to avocado.
Plant details:
Genus & species: Diospyros virginiana
Hardiness: Zone 4 to zone 8
Sun: Full sun preferred
Soil type: Prefers sandy loam, clay OK if well-drained
Soil moisture: Average, well-drained
