If you’re looking for an amazing tree that not only has delicious fruit, beautiful fall color, tolerates different types of soil, and is nearly pest free, plant a persimmon.
There are two main types of persimmons-the Hachiya and the Fuyu. Fruits of the Hachiya persimmon are large deep red/orange and are usually harvested when firm and allowed to ripen off the tree. When soft and squishy, the very sweet fruit is used in cookies, cakes and my favorite—persimmon pudding.
Fruits of the Fuyu are medium, flattish red/orange and are crisp and firm—crunching almost like an apple. Use them raw in salads or eat them like an apple. Dehydrated Fuyu persimmon slices are a great snack.
Both types of persimmon fruits begin to ripen in September and last through November. If not harvested, they are beautiful ornaments on the bare tree branches. The fruits also make perfect Thanksgiving table decorations.
Persimmon trees range in size from 14 feet for the Fuyu to around 20 feet(wide) for the Hachiya. No cross-pollination is required and full sun is important. Pruning persimmon trees mainly involves thinning out crossing or misshapen branches. Thinning the fruit may be necessary as persimmons can be quite prolific.