Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon)

A genuinely juglone-tolerant fruiting tree with exceptional hardiness and disease resistance, common persimmon combines striking winter bark interest with sweet, wildlife-favored fruit - a versatile choice for edible landscapes as well as restoration plantings near black walnut.

Species Overview

The common persimmon is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and southeastern United States. It typically grows 35 to 60 feet tall and is known for its rugged, dark gray to black bark broken into distinctive scaly, squarish blocks. This tree thrives in well-drained soils and is tolerant of drought, making it suitable for various habitats, from forests to open fields. The fruit, which attracts wildlife like deer and birds, has been a traditional food source for humans.

Application

• Edible-landscape and food-forest plantings - fruit is a traditional human food source
• Wildlife habitat plantings - fruit attracts deer, birds, and other wildlife
• Upland restoration on well-drained to moderately dry sites
• Sites near black walnut, given confirmed juglone tolerance

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Wide range - dry to moist, well-drained soils; adaptable to floodplain conditions
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - Tolerates a genuinely wide moisture range - usually moist soil with occasional inundation, to somewhat long very dry periods.
• Plant Type: Tree
• Mature Height: 25-50 ft. (existing records show 35-60 ft.; see flags)
• Fall Color: Yellow, Orange, Red
• Bloom Color / Period: Green, Yellow; April-June
• Wetland Indicator Status: FAC (Facultative)
• Native Range: Connecticut to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas
• Hydrology: Mesic-Moist
• Growth Rate: Slow (forestry texts note roughly a century of growth to reach commercially viable wood yield)
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
• Salinity Tolerance: Moderate - tolerant of salty wind, some salt spray
• Root Depth: Very Deep (36 in.+) - deep taproot, stoloniferous
• Growth Habit: Rounded - broad or narrow round-topped crown
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees
• Juglone Tolerance: Tolerant

Planting Guidance

• Dioecious - both a male and female tree are typically needed to produce fruit.