This lovely landscape tree grows up to 25 feet tall and wide, with bright yellow, red, and orange fall foliage and gracefully drooping branches. Its orange fruit dangles from the ends of the limbs as it ripens. Although this tree can withstand winter temperatures to 0°F, in colder regions, it tends to break dormancy and begin growing before the cold weather has fully departed. Plant persimmons in well drained, acidic soil, but keep the soil moist, especially during the summer when the tree is carrying fruit. Prune only to establish a modified central leader branching structure of young trees and to remove dead and damaged limbs from mature trees.

Persimmons have few serious pests or diseases, although fungus disease can affect the fruit late in the season and trees are susceptible to wilt disease in some areas. Control scale insects with dormant oil spray in late winter. They need little pruning.

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit fall into two different categories — astringent and non-astringent. Fruit of the astringent varieties are eaten when the flesh is soft and almost jelly-like, while non-astringent varieties can be eaten when firm. Some varieties have seeds, and others are seedless. The best astringent varieties include ‘Saijo’, ‘Tanenashi’, and ‘Yomato Hyakume’. Good non-astringent varieties include ‘Fuyu’, ‘Hanagosho’, and ‘Hana Fuyu’. Female trees don’t need male trees to set fruit and, in fact, produce seedy fruit with dark streaks in the flesh when pollinated. Harvest in autumn when the fruit feel slightly soft. Protect from birds.

The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), which is native to the United States, grows vigorously from Zones 4 to 9 (Find Your Zone) and spreads easily from seeds eaten by birds and animals. The trees tend to form thickets of suckers. Fruits measure 1 to 2 inches across and are sweet and edible after they mature, especially after a frost. Some varieties have larger fruit.