Persimmon, Bare Root

Persimmon, American (Diospyros virginiana)

American Persimmon is a native fruit tree valued for its nutrient-dense, sweet fruit, wildlife benefits, and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. Found naturally across the Eastern U.S., it produces orange, plum-sized fruits in the fall that are delicious when fully ripe and support a wide range of wildlife species. With its deep taproot, strong wood, and seasonal interest, American Persimmon is a valuable tree for food forests, wildlife plantings, silvopasture systems, and regenerative orchard design.

Key Characteristics

• Sweet, Nutrient-Rich Fall Fruit
  American Persimmon produces astringent fruit that ripens in September–October, turning soft, sweet, and rich in flavor when fully ripe. High in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, the fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in puddings, preserves, and baked goods.
• Incredible Wildlife Value
  The fruit is highly attractive to white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, foxes, and over 20 species of birds, including wild turkey and cedar waxwings. Its dense canopy provides cover, while fallen fruit feeds ground-foraging wildlife well into winter.
• Dioecious Tree – Requires Male and Female for Fruit
  American Persimmon is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate trees. You’ll need at least one male for every 6–8 females for proper pollination and fruit production.
• Tough, Adaptable, and Drought Tolerant
  Tolerant of poor soils, drought, and occasional flooding, American Persimmon thrives in medium to dry soils in full sun or partial shade. It develops a deep taproot, making it ideal for reforestation, erosion control, and low-input systems.
• Valuable in Silvopasture and Food Forest Systems
  As a long-lived, resilient fruit tree, persimmon plays a key role in successional agroforestry. Its fruit supports wildlife, its form works well in orchard understory or pasture-edge plantings, and it contributes to biodiversity in mixed-species tree systems.

Product Details

• Native Range: Eastern and Central U.S.
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-dry
• Mature Height: 30–60 feet
• Bloom Time: May–June
• Bloom Color: Pale yellow-green
• Fruit Qualities: Small to medium, orange, soft when ripe, very sweet
• Fruit Uses: Fresh eating (when fully ripe), drying, baking, preserves
• Fruit Ripening Month: September–October
• Required Chill Hours: ~400–600
• Pollination Requirements: Dioecious – needs both male and female trees to produce fruit
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9

American Persimmon is a rugged, multipurpose native tree offering fruit, habitat, and deep ecological value. Perfect for permaculture orchards, silvopasture, and wildlife-friendly homesteads.