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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Diospyros virginiana

Persimmon
Eastern Persimmon, Common Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana

Nothing quite matches the character and old-fashioned charm of a persimmon tree, with its wild, twisting branches, nearly black bark, and black-polka-dotted leaves. Seeing one is guaranteed to make you think longingly of the old family farm, of fencerows and country fields. After the foliage drops in fall, the bright orange fruits dangle from the branches like Christmas balls. Taste a persimmon and reconnect with your memories of simpler days.

But be careful. Whatever you do, you don’t want to eat a persimmon before it’s ripe—it will make your mouth pucker in the most uncomfortable way. To be on the safe side, postpone your harvesting until after the first frost, when the ripe fruit begins to drop from the trees. Persimmons can be eaten fresh or used in cakes, breads, custards, preserves, and even beer. Don’t eat them all though; you need to save at least some for the critters. Persimmons are highly prized by mockingbirds, wild turkeys, blue jays, robins, gray catbirds, pileated woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, cedar waxwings, raccoons, opossums, deer, and bears.

Family:  Ebenaceae (Ebony Family)

Description: Small to medium-sized deciduous tree with 4 to 6" toothless oval-shaped leaves. The leaves are often spotted with black. Small yellow flowers appear in May and June. The fruit is a 1-2" edible orange berry that ripens after frost. Fall leaf color is yellow, purple, orange, and scarlet.

Size: 40-60’ X 20-35’.

Habit: Tends to sucker and form thickets.

Growth Rate: Slow to medium.

Light: Full sun to part sun. More sun results in better fruiting and fall color.

Planting and Care: Thrives in moist, well-drained conditions but also tolerates poor, dry soils. Both a male and a female tree are required for fruit production. Fruit appears only on female trees.

Ornamental Value: Assets include interesting dark blocky bark, orange fruits, and showy fall color.

Landscape Usage: Persimmon makes an excellent addition to the home orchard.

Wildlife Benefits: The foliage is eaten by butterfly larvae, the flowers are visited by bees, and the fruits are consumed by a wide variety of birds and mammals.

Native Habitat: Found in open woodlands, fencerows, and abandoned fields throughout Georgia.

Propagation: Stratified seed, budding, grafting.

Text and photo by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation