Anxious to see Susan’s tree, I headed over to her house a few weeks ago. We had a lovely visit sitting on a bench under her spectacular persimmon tree. Here a few things I asked Susan about persimmons.

Where and when did you find your persimmon tree?

“I found it about 12 years ago at North Haven gardens. It was in a 5 gallon pot and approximately 2 – 3 feet tall. I planted it in a full sun area of my backyard.”

When does the fruit appear? 

“Hard, green orbs start appearing after flowering and continue developing until early fall. Persimmons are usually ready to be picked in early to mid-November.”

Approximately, how many persimmons does it produce during the season?

“Each year is different. Last year (2023) there was hardly any. This year, I’ve harvested over 200 beautiful persimmons.”

How do you pick the persimmons at the top of your 12’ tall tree? 

“Well, the persimmons on those upper branches get harvested by the opossums. That’s my gift to them!”

Susan has a totally organic garden and doesn’t worry about fertilizing her persimmon tree other than with fresh compost from her bins, as needed. It has been a fairly low maintenance tree that sparkles with a beautiful display of colorful leaves each autumn.

If you are ready to add a jewel of a tree to your yard, here is some helpful information to get you started.

Fuyu persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki) bear a glowing, yellow-orange fruit that is sweet and filled with flavor once the color appears. In zone 8 look for fruits in mid-October that transition to a glowing orange. Be patient when planting a small seedling as it can take several years to bear fruit. Irrigate regularly, especially during the early years when it is getting established.

The best reason for growing a Fuyu persimmon tree in your yard is for the abundance of sweet, non-astringent fruit. Enjoy persimmons fresh from the tree or in jams, jellies, puddings, breads, cookies and salads!