The Persimmon is adaptable to almost any site. Native to Arkanas, it has beautiful bark and brilliant fall color. Its popularity lacks in the landscape however because of pests and the messy fall fruit.

Bark: The bark on old trees is a dark grayish brown to almost black, and is separated into thick, nearly square blocks called "alligator" bark and has thorns.

Foliage: The 2 1/4 - 5 1/2 inch long and 3/4 - 2 inch wide leaves are alternate, simple, oval, or oblong, short, and sharp-pointed. The margins are smooth or slightly wavy. Dark green and shiny above, paler beneath the leaves change color in the fall from yellow to reddish purple.

Flowers: Dioecious, but both sexes sometimes appear on the same tree. Very fragrant. The color ranges from white to greenish white, somewhat bell-shaped, four-lobed, appearing in May - June, and are not flashy.

Fruit: The 1 - 1 1/2 inch round fruit is pulpy, yellowish to pale orange, suspended by 4 persistant calyx lobes. These lobes contain hard, smooth, brownish seeds, and are edible after a frost. Ripen late September - October and persist into November - December.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	541
Scientific Name:	Diospyros virginiana
Mature Height:	35 - 60ft.
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	20 - 35ft.
Branching Shape:	Oval-rounded, symmetrical
Growth Rate:	Slow to medium
Wood Strength:	Very heavy
Cold Hardiness Zone:	4-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist, Dry
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	leaf spot and fall webworms
Comments:	Edible fruit; produce.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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