Numerous people encounter problems when it comes to persimmon tree identification. If you are in the same boat, this article will offer an outlet from the predicament by providing helpful tips.
Besides, my post includes details on how to grow a permission plant, along with its care guide. Keep scrolling down for further information!
About The Persimmon Tree
The persimmon, or Diospyros Virginiana, is a deciduous tree that can acclimate to a variety of soil and weather conditions. The Diospyros name derives from the Greek, which means the food of God.
Lucky for you because it can be found in various habitats, like southern New England, the southeast United States, North Carolina, Texas, etc.
Yet what does a persimmon tree look like? Generally, a typical persimmon is 60 feet tall and 15 inches wide in a favorable environment.
Its leaves are quite special, able to switch to different colors.
In the summer, the glossy and thick leaves show dark green hues, but they may turn reddish-purple when the fall comes, creating a stunning display.
The persimmon wood seems precious. With the high-density level and strong components layer, the wood is usually used to produce billiard cues, golf club heads, and furniture.
How To Do The Persimmon Tree Identification?
How to identify a wild persimmon tree?
There are numerous ways to tell it apart, based on its height, leaves, bark, fruits, and flowers.
Indeed, with a common height of 40 to 60 feet, the mature persimmon tree stands out among different kinds of vegetation.
In addition, you can look at its leaves (it’s easy to determine the persimmon just like identifying a fruit tree via its leaf).
I have seen this plant and was surprised by its mysterious dark green leaves, along with some leathery and smooth edges on their upper surfaces.
Regarding persimmon bark, it shows a dark gray color and blocky texture. The furrows are quite short but thick, looking like a square ridge.
When I chop the female tree down, I also notice its inner bark that turns yellowish when exposed.
It is also a breeze to differentiate the persimmon by its berries. A ripe fruit is marked with a pinkish-orange tint, coupled with a frosted and smooth surface.
In its flowering season, the female blooms often turn creamy white, and its shape resembles a round bell.
How To Grow A Persimmon Tree From Seed?
Here are detailed guidelines on how to germinate a ripe persimmon tree.
Soil Preparation
Although the persimmon tree could grow in nearly all terrains, the loamy and organically-rich soil is the perfect facilitator for its growth.
Soils with a low level of fertility and compact clay, such as sandy or heavy clay soils, are unsuitable for you to plant.
In this case, it is advisable to add some organic compost with a view to improving the soil’s quality.
The Step-By-Step Process
- Step 1: Opt for a suitable persimmon seed.
- Step 2: Prepare the potting mixture, which is especially beneficial for female trees during their first growth stage.
- Step 3: Pour the soil into a small pot and add water before burying the seed. It would be best not to dig the root too deep because it could not sprout properly.
- Step 4: You are recommended to wrap the pot in a plastic bag and make some holes for the air to go through. This step is optional.
- Step 5: When you see a tiny sprout, you can remove the plastic bag and transplant the seedling on the soil richer in nutrients.
- Step 6: If you decide to grow your plant outdoors, choose a site with shade to protect it from being burned by the intense sunlight. Another method is planting your tree under a grow light for safety.
- Step 7: Never let your tree dry by watering it frequently. You can spray a small amount of fertilizer after a year, as the persimmon becomes stronger at this time.
Watering Tips
- Water your plant about once or twice a week on the sandy soil.
- Give your persimmon tree some water only once per week if it grows on clay soil.
- Don’t forget to soak the root system entirely.
- You are advised to water the plant periodically so the soil has time to dry between waterings.
- Avoid watering too much because wet soil could lead to the tree’s death, as its root cannot absorb the whole amount.
- The water amount should be about an inch per week.
- Dig out weeds on the ground, roughly four feet around this shade tree, so there might be less competition for water.
Fertilizing Tips
- Don’t fertilize young persimmon trees, as they are fragile and more susceptible to fertilizer’s components.
- Only 6 cups for a one-year plant, and 10+ cups for 2 or more years old.
- Never fertilize too much, as this practice could result in premature death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Tips For Pruning Separate Trees?
Below are some pruning tips that you should take close notice of.
- When pruning, you should remove interfering, broken, or diseased branches.
- The best time for pruning is early spring or late winter.
- Don’t prune a mature tree too much; only once a year.
- As regards the plant less than 5 years old, cut the branches that cross others or face away from the trunk.
- Given the persimmon tree is over 5 years old, prune weak or crossing branches and dead wood. You should start from the main trunk to the leaves.
- The method of rejuvenation pruning may come in handy when your plant cannot stimulate the growth of new fruiting branches.
What Are The Four Types Of Persimmon Trees?
Four popular persimmon varieties are Fuyu, Hachiya, Rojo Brillante, and Sharon fruit.
- The Fuyu persimmon is famous for its edible fruit production. Its unripe fruits are very sweet thanks to their high sugar content.
- The fruits of Sharon (or American persimmon) can be frozen, which allows growers to store and transport them easily without worrying about damage along the route.
- The Rojo Brillante variety is the most popular, especially in Europe. In Spain, the cultivation figure reached approximately 400,000 tonnes last year.
- The Hachiya persimmon fruit is mostly used as an additive to bread-making. Yet, they are smaller than the Asian Persimmon (Diospyros kaki).
The Bottom Line
The persimmon tree identification is not a daunting task, as it stands out with impressive height and special fruits.
The best thing is that persimmon is not a picky tree, so you can easily add it to your garden collection.
Thank you for your genuine support, and have a nice day!
