American Persimmon, often referred to Sugar Plums or Fruit of the Gods is one of North America’s forgotten fruits. Even though American persimmons grow wild in a large chunk of the eastern US, most people I meet have never even heard of persimmons, let alone tasted their amazing fruit!
American Persimmons aren’t found in the grocery store, if you want them you need to grow your own or forage for them. Persimmon look like bright orange golf ball sized fruits that hang on trees well into the fall.
Ripe persimmons can hang on trees even after all the leaves drop. Ripe persimmon fruit is soft and mushy and appears like it would be rotten. This is the perfect time to eat persimmons right from the tree!
About American Persimmons
One of the latest ripening native fruits in the northeast, American persimmon trees have a long history of use by humans and wildlife. Persimmon is best eaten fully ripe, straight off the tree.
The aroma and taste are unmatched, almost tropical, American persimmon is right up there with the Paw Paw as my top two favorite native fruits. What does a persimmon taste like?
My daughter’s description of her first persimmon was yummy and orangey! The flavor is best described as delicious, complex, orange creamsicle! Persimmons are truly one of those unique fruits more people need to know about!
American Persimmon Uses
People have been eating persimmon for decades. The best use of persimmons is eating fresh right off the tree, but you can only eat so many persimmons! Once you have eaten your fill, the fruits can be used in making jams, pies, cakes, syrups, and breads.
Persimmon is also a favorite seasonal ingredient for wine and mead makers. American persimmon fruit can be dried and made into fruit leather; it can also be dried whole! Legend has it that during the US Civil War persimmon seeds were ground up and used as a coffee type drink.
Where do American Persimmons Grow
Persimmons will grow in a wide variety of conditions. They are a super hardy tree, you can find stately tall persimmons growing deep in a forest as easily as you can find a smaller shrublike persimmon growing along the side of an old country road.
Trees will grow and fruit best in well drained loamy soil but can also survive in low lying areas if well drained. Native American persimmon trees can be found near a creek bed or at the top of a forest mountain during your fall hiking trip.
Planting American Persimmons
American Persimmon trees grow in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. The native range of the American persimmon encompasses a large patch of the eastern United States from up into New England in the Northeast down to Georgia in the South. Trees grow best with soil pH levels between 6.0-7.0 and produce the most fruit in full sun. They can survive soil composition that ranges from clay, to loam, or sandy rocks.
Persimmons planted in full sun, in healthy soil will produce the most fruit and become large trees. Plant trees between 20-40 feet apart depending on your management style. Trees can be planted closer together in shadier areas where trees will typically stay smaller. Once established persimmon trees don’t need any extra water if planted in their native range.
Monitor rainfall during the first year or two of establishment. If drought conditions appear water once or twice weekly as needed. Persimmon trees don’t typically need to be pruned unless you want to keep them at a certain size. Pruning should be done in winter while trees are dormant.
When do Persimmons Fruit
The timing of persimmon ripening can vary greatly by your local site conditions. Here in NJ most of our trees begin to ripen starting in early to mid-October and run through Thanksgiving. Some years trees hold their fruit on the branches well into the winter.
In extra cold years I have seen fruit stay on trees well into January! American persimmon trees are typically male or female. Once fall comes around check your trees weekly. Fruit that drops from the tree is usually ripe. You can also have ripe fruit hang on the tree for weeks or even months. Ripe fruit will appear shriveled and bright orange to pinkish.
The females produce fruit while the males do the pollinating. Seedling trees should be planted in groups to ensure successful pollinating and fruit production. Our seedling lines have historically produced fruit 3-6 years after planting.
Most people overlook persimmons. Most people’s only interaction with persimmons is when they notice a smushed fruit laying on the ground. Persimmons have many benefits beyond flattened fruit laying across your hiking trail.
Wildlife love persimmons! Fall transitions quickly from a season of abundance to one of scarcity. Persimmons are a late fall and early winter food source for most animals in the Northeast. Everything from deer, squirrel, fox, bear, turkey, coyote, raccoon, opossum, and birds feed on these delicious fall fruit. Pollinations love the nectar from their spring flowers. Deer hunters love to plant persimmon trees as they are a beacon for deer during fall hunting seasons. One grafted persimmon variety is even named Deer Magnet!
Beyond wildlife persimmons have many benefits for humans as well. Persimmon fruit isn’t just delicious, yes it is but it is also full of vitamins. Persimmon fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, iron, and calcium. Persimmons were used to make the original wooden golf clubs. Persimmon wood isn’t typically used for lumber these days. Wood crafters will hand make things like spoons, bowls, and pool cues out of persimmon wood.
Why American Persimmon?
If you aren’t convinced that you should grow American Persimmon by now let’s recap.
They are a robust native tree and very prolific fruit producer. The fruit is delicious, and you can’t find it in stores. If you want to try it you need to grow your own or find someone who does. Persimmons aren’t just a valuable food source for people, but wildlife love persimmons too! Persimmons can grow in nearly any soil conditions and are largely pest and disease resistant. Persimmons are high in vitamins and grow wild in most of the eastern half of the US.
Persimmon is arguably the most delicious fruit that most Americans have never tasted. Grow your own persimmon see for yourself! Once you taste a ripe persimmon, I am sure they will go to the top of your favorite fruit list!
Looking to grow your own persimmon trees? Check out our store for easy to grow grafted persimmon trees that you can grow in your own yard! Want to know more about Persimmons. Check out our article that explores more of about benefits of Growing American Persimmon Trees.
