Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'

'Fuyu' Japanese persimmon is a deciduous tree in the Ebenaceae (ebony) family and grows 20 to 30 feet tall and wide. Japanese persimmons are native to eastern Asia and India, and they thrive in eastern North Carolina and the southern piedmont but do not tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees F. These trees produce the fruit that is most widely sold in supermarkets today and is the most well-known non-astringent type. 

‘Fuyu’ requires full sun and grows in a wide range of soils but does best in loamy, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Japanese persimmons generally bloom mid-April so watch for damage from late frosts. The tree does not require annual pruning like some other deciduous fruit trees. However, it does produce root suckers; remove promptly unless a naturalized effect is wanted. Planting more than one variety is recommended but not required for fruit set. Harvest the fruit when the skin becomes deep orange. Fruit from this non-astringent variety can be sliced like a tomato and eaten raw or it can be used in a variety of baked goods.

 ‘Fuyu’ persimmon offers year-round interest in the landscape. It can be placed in a lawn or naturalized area, trained as an espalier, or pruned as a hedge or screen. With spectacular autumn foliage and fruit that extends the harvest late into the fall, ‘Fuyu’ is an excellent addition to an edible or Asian garden. Fruit stays on the tree after the leaves have fallen and into winter, giving an attractive addition to a winter garden.  

Quick ID Hints:

• Bark is deeply fissured or furrowed in shapes of rectangles or squares

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale, mealybug, and leaf spot can occur. Fruit drop can be messy.

More information on Diospyros kaki.