The Persimmon, Diospyros kaki, also known as Fuji Fruit, Sharon Fruit, Kaki Fruit and Japanese Persimmon is a fruit bearing tree indigenous to Japan and China. It is a fine-looking, deciduous, ornamental tree with drooping leaves and branches that give it a languorous and rather tropical visual aspect. It is a member of the family Ebenaceae the genus Diospyros.

Diospyros kaki is a multi-trunked or single-trunked tree, growing up to 8 meters high and at least as wide. Branches are fairly brittle and can be broken in high winds. The plant does best in regions with moderate winters and comparatively mild summers. Trees don't produce well in the high summer heat of desert areas, which may sunburn the leaves and bark.

Persimmon can tolerate temperatures of -15°C when fully dormant. However, since it has a low chilling requirement of less than 100 hours, it might break its dormancy by early warm spells only to sustain damage by late spring frosts. The leaves are killed by -3ºC when growing.

Leaves of the Diospyros kaki are alternate, simple and ovate, up to 15cm long and 9cm wide. They are often pale, somewhat yellowish green when young, becoming a dark, shiny green as they age. The plant has a similar shape to that of an apple tree.

Under mild autumn conditions the leaves frequently turn to spectacular shades of yellow, orange and red. A nice tea can be made from leaves fresh or dried. Also leaves are used to improve the flavor of pickled radishes.

Flowers, 2-2.5 cm wide, unnoticeable, rounded by a green calyx tube are borne in springtime in the leaf axils of new growth from one-year old wood. Persimmon trees are generally either male or female, but some trees have both male and female flowers.

Female flowers are single and cream-colored while the male flowers are pink-tinged borne in threes. A tree's sexual manifestation could vary from one year to the other.
Fruit is round to heart-shaped and ranges from 6 – 9cm in diameter.

Fruit is commonly bright orange when mature, thin skinned with an orange flesh. There are two types of fruit, Astringent and Non-astringent. The astringent fruit has soft flesh when ripe and is flatter in shape with defined gelatin like segments.

The non astringent variety has crisp flesh and is more round in shape. In both varieties, the flesh is sweet tasting. Select firm, shiny plump fruit, free from defects and let ripen at room temperature.

Fruit will store in refrigerator for up to a week. It is best consumed fresh but it can be used sliced up in salads or made into jam and cakes. Good accompaniment to lamb, pork or chicken. Persimmons also make an first-class dried fruit. They could either be peeled and dried whole or cut into slices, peeled or unpeeled and dried. The roasted seeds can be used as a coffee substitute.

Diospyros kaki favors full sun although it will tolerate some partial shade. Good air drift is advisable for persimmon trees in inland areas. It can withstand a wide range of soil conditions as long as the soil is not excessively salty, but does best in deep, moist but well drained loam with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.

Tree propagation is by seed and cuttings of half-ripe wood, Seeds normally germinate in 1 – 6 months at 15°C. The tree bears fruit when 3 to 6 years old. Prune persimmon trees to grow a strong framework of main branches when the tree is young.

Persimmons are comparatively problem-free; although mealybug and scale in connection with ants can occasionally cause problems. Persimmons do not compete well with eucalyptus trees. While it will withstand short periods of drought, fruit will be larger and of higher quality with frequent watering.

Persimmon, Diospyros kaki

Interested on Fruit and Nut Bearing Trees and Plants? Stay Tuned. There is Much More to Come.

The key to successful fruit and nut production is the provision of a beneficial environment for the trees that bear them.