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Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu' is often confused with:
Diospyros kaki leaves
Native alternative(s) for Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu':
Diospyros virginiana Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Diospyros kaki leaves
Diospyros kaki 'Hana Gosho' Diospyros kaki 'Hana Gosho'
Diospyros kaki 'Jiro' Diospyros kaki 'Jiro'

Fuyu Kaki Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
dy-oh-SPY-ros KAH-ky
Description

'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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#year-round interest#fruit tree#sweet fruit#messy#edible fruits#fruits fall#orange fruits#fall color yellow#fall color orange#winter fruits
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#year-round interest#fruit tree#sweet fruit#messy#edible fruits#fruits fall#orange fruits#fall color yellow#fall color orange#winter fruits
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Diospyros
    Species:
    kaki
    Family:
    Ebenaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves are used to make teas
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits attract birds
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Drought tolerant
    Edibility:
    Produces non-astringent fruit that is sweet, soft and tangy. Firm when ripens. It is a self-fruitful cultivar.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    A medium-sized, square-shaped, faintly 4-sided fruit that ripens in late fall with a deep-orange skin and a light orange flesh.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Female flowers are slightly fragrant, borne singly with four whitish petals that are about half an inch long. Male flowers are pink-toned appearing in clusters of three. They may or may not be on the same tree. It doesn't need pollination to set seedless fruit.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are glossy green and 4-5 inches long which turn yellow to orange in fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Furrowed
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Rectangle
    Square
    Bark Description:
    Brownish gray bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Description:
    Dark rich brown with large lenticels.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Edible Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Foot Traffic
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Messy