Persimmons

Persimmons are one of the premier fruit that can be grown in the Houston area. The taste of the fruit is always outstanding. The size and shape of these trees varies according to variety. Persimmons need full sun and no standing water. Do not need a pollinator. Loses leaves in winter. Withstands freezes well. They have virtually no diseases and birds are the only pest, so they are easy to grow.

Fuyu persimmon. Photo by TreeSearch Farms.

Care of Persimmon Trees  

Planting: Plant in a mostly sunny place, 8' to 10' from the nearest tree. They can be planted closer, but there will be very little room between trees, for the limb spread on persimmons is about 5' - 6' from the trunk. Plant during the winter (January to early February). Plant in an area with good drainage. Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough to accommodate the root system. Spread the roots out. The graft, where the tree was grafted onto a hardy disease resistant variety, should be a couple of inches above the soil when you finish planting. Use existing soil only – no amendments. Water in well, and water every day for a few days unless it rains.

Production: These trees will produce fruit in the second year but it is a good idea to pick the fruit off immediately and let the tree put all its energy into growth rather than fruit production.

Harvesting: You can leave the fruit on the tree until it turns bright orange when it is ready to eat; but most people harvest earlier to avoid predation from birds. When harvesting earlier, the fruit can be placed on the countertop for ripening. They could be ripened by placing in the freezer for 24 hours and then taken out fully ripe. There is a method of placing in warm water for eight hours and then taken out of the water to ripen on the countertop. Many people like to eat persimmons when they are still hard; and if that is the case they can just be picked and eaten.

Varieties of Persimmons for the Houston Area Climate

Fuyu Persimmon Flat fruit that is crunchy when ripe. Sweet, flavorful, non-astringent. Very easy to grow tree does well in cool or hot climates. A standard for non-astringent persimmons.

Hiratanenashi Persimmon Medium sized fruit, flattened and usually seedless with a rather thick skin. Ripens over a long period and astringency may be hard to remove just by storing the fruit. Ripens late September to early October.

Saijo Persimmon Japanese persimmon that translates as "the very best one". Small elongated acorn shaped fruit is astringent until ripe, then sweet with excellent flavor. One or two seeds. Early maturing. Hardy to -10F. Upright tree about 12' tall and 10' in diameter, ripens over a long season-September through mid-November.

Suruga Persimmon One of the best tasting non-astringent varieties. The spreading tree is of moderate height (10') and the large, skin-orange-red fruit ripens from early November through early December. The fruit is delicious while still crisp. Flesh dense, very sweet, excellent quality. Difficult to soften on tree (fruit becomes spongy rather than soft). Keeps well Tree almost free from alternate bearing. Recommended for warmer climates.

Persimmon trees make a dramatic winter presentation, losing their leaves and displaying ripe fruit. Photo by TreeSearch Farms.