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Diospyros virginiana

Diospyros virginiana

Common persimmon, American persimmon, simmon, possumwood, possum apples, sugar plum

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Description

Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon, American persimmon, simmon, possumwood, possum apples, sugar plum) is native to large areas of the Eastern USA where the tree grows together with Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera and Platanus occidentalis. On nutrient-rich, moist soils Diospyros virginiana forms an elegant, broad-growing, medium-sized tree twenty metres tall and in cultivation approximately six to twelve metres tall. The oval to egg-shaped, semi-open crown grows between six and eight metres wide and is formed by horizontal branches from the trunk.

The fruits of Diospyros virginiana - known locally as persimmons - are grown commercially on a large scale. The yellow to yellow-orange plums are three to six centimetres in size and perceptibly larger than those of Diospyros lotus. The tomato-like fruits are not only consumed by humans but also by birds and mammals. The healthy, oblong, glossy dark green foliage alone makes Diospyros virginiana a terrific variety to use. The foliage emerges bronze and the attractive yellow autumnal foliage also adds to the decorative value of the tree. At the end of May or early June the American persimmon bears inconspicuous yellow-pink, bell-shaped flowers. Male and female flowers are required to ensure good fruit production although female trees also bear seedless fruits without a male specimen in the vicinity. Diospyros virginiana has a very beautiful grey, rough bark and glabrous brown shoots.

Diospyros virginiana thrives as a pioneer species on most soils and is tolerant of sun and drought. The strongest specimens however are found in damp and richer river valleys on soils which do not flood, or flood a little. This makes Diospyros virginiana also suitable for planting in wadis. The American persimmon is especially good for planting in parks, central reservations, gardens and food forests. Its taproot means that Diospyros virginiana does not transplant easily.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees half-stem trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees fruit trees

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden cemetery bioswale

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

food forest prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

6 - 12 m

Width

6 - 8 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds humans

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerant to short-term flooding

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Diospyros virginiana standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Diospyros virginiana standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Diospyros virginiana multi-stem
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros virginiana leaves
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros virginiana fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Diospyros virginiana autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Diospyros virginiana autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Diospyros virginiana autumn leaves
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
bark bark
Diospyros virginiana bark
twigs twigs
Diospyros virginiana twigs
twigs twigs
Diospyros virginiana twigs
twigs twigs
Diospyros virginiana twigs

Seasonal colours

Diospyros virginiana seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

bell-shaped discrete small

Flower colour

yellow-pink

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze dark green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid leathery matt polished

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow yellow-orange

Fruits

striking rich fruit yield edible plum

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

deeply furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
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Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
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Special features
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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