Common Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana · Deciduous, Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Ebenaceae (Ebony family)
Tree Category
Fruit, Shade, and Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native Appalachian variety (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9.
About This Tree
Medium-sized tree with a slender, oval to rounded crown. Known for its extremely dark, blocky bark and delicious, sweet orange fruit. It has a slow to moderate growth rate and a very sturdy, wind-resistant structure.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, ovate-oblong leaves, 2-6 inches long. Glossy dark green above, paler beneath. Turns yellowish-green or occasionally reddish-purple in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive 'alligator bark' appearance. Deeply furrowed into thick, dark gray to blackish, square or rectangular blocks. Inner bark is yellowish-orange.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Eastern United States from Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas and Iowa.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (April/May), flowers in May/June, fruits ripen after first frost in autumn, enters dormancy in late October.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred for best fruit production; tolerates partial shade. Highly drought-tolerant once established; prefers moist, well-drained soils but adaptable to sandy or rocky soils.
Mature Size
Typically 35-60 feet tall with a spread of 20-35 feet. Can live over 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Valued for its extremely hard, heavy wood (used for golf club heads and tool handles). Fruit is highly astringent until fully ripe/mushy. Highly tolerant of urban pollution.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical food source for various wildlife including opossums, raccoons, deer, and birds. Host plant for the Luna Moth (Actias luna). Nectar-rich flowers support honeybees and native pollinators.