American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Sweet only when soft; plant several for male and female trees.
Hardiness: zones 4 to 9
Light: full sun to part shade
Size: about 25 ft tall, 15 ft wide
Harvest: September to November
From: E. North America
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest & Great Lakes, Great Plains & Texas. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
The story
Native to the eastern US. Its natural range reaches into Ohio, mostly the southern counties. Ripe American persimmons taste like apricot and honey. Unripe ones will pucker your whole mouth.
Planting
Full sun to light shade. Soil: very adaptable, clay included (pH 6.0–7.0). Spacing: 20 ft. Pollination: most trees are male or female. You need one of each, or a self-fruitful variety like 'Meader'.
Growing
Water: drought tolerant once its taproot is down. Winter: Little pruning needed. Shape young trees to a strong leader. Spring: Leafs out late, so don't assume it's dead. Summer: Water young trees in drought. Fall: Pick only fully soft fruit. Unripe fruit is very astringent.
Harvest and use
Harvest: September–February, only when fully soft. First crop: 6–8+ years from seedling.
What to watch for
Few problems; some leaf spot. Deer browse young trees.
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home