Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'

As with its parent plant, the 'Fuyu' cultivar of the Oriental persimmon is beautiful, delicious and easy to grow, and offers year-round interest in the landscape. These deciduous trees produce the fruit that is most widely sold in supermarkets today and is the most well-known non-astringent type. Oriental persimmons are native in Eastern Asia and India, they thrive in eastern North Carolina and the southern piedmont but do not tolerate temperatures below 10°F. Planting more than one variety is recommended but not required for fruit set.

The trees grow best in loamy, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 in full sun but thrive on a wide range of soils. Oriental persimmons generally bloom mid-April so avoid damage from late frosts.

With spectacular autumn foliage and fruit that extends the harvest late into the fall, they are an excellent addition to an edible landscape.  Fruit stays on the tree after the leaves have fallen and into winter, giving an attractive addition to a winter garden. 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.  

The Oriental persimmon can be placed in a lawn or naturalized area, an Asian, winter or edible garden.  It can be trained as an espalier or pruned as a hedge or screen away from foot traffic or wet soil.  They have no serious insect or disease problems and they do not require annual pruning like some other deciduous fruit trees. However, they do produce root suckers.  Remove promptly unless a naturalized effect is wanted.

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.