How Big Do American Persimmon Trees Get?

Persimmons produce fruit that remains on the tree in autumn.

American persimmon trees (Diospyros virginiana), also called possumwood and common persimmons, are small to medium-sized trees found throughout the Eastern United States. Common persimmon is a resilient tree and highly adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions. Persimmons produce edible berries that ripen after the first frost and are used to make a number of baked goods and deserts. American persimmon trees are easy to grow in home landscapes.

Size

American persimmons vary greatly in height depending on the growing conditions of the tree. The trees rarely grow over 50 feet tall, but when planted in rich, well-drained soils in full sunlight, the trees can grow up to 80 feet tall, according to horticulturalists at the University of Wisconsin. The trunk grows up to 2 feet in diameter and the canopy has a round even spread of 20 to 35 feet.

Fruits

Persimmon fruits are round and plum-like and are 1 to 3 inches in diameter. The fruits are very bitter and astringent with green and unripe. The fruits ripen only after the first hard frost and develop a pale orange color. When mature, persimmon fruits are sweet and edible. They can be dried and added to baked goods or combined with hops and sugars to make persimmon beer.

Culture

Plant persimmon trees in areas with full sunlight to light shade. Persimmon trees can grow in any type of soil, so choose any location that is most convenient for you. However, once planted, the trees can not be transplanted due to their deep taproot and extensive root system. Persimmon trees require little care once established in your landscape.

Problems

Persimmons have few pest problems in home landscapes. Defoliating caterpillars may occasionally feed on persimmon leaves, but they rarely cause serious damage. Persimmon wilt is caused by a fungal infection that enters through wounds on the tree. Persimmon wilt causes the infested tree to drop its leaves and kills the branches of the tree from the top down. Avoid damaging persimmon trees to prevent persimmon wilt damage.

References

• University of Wisconsin; Common Persimmon; Lowell K. Halls
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Common Persimmon; Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson; December 2006
• Ohio State University Extension; Ohio Trees; Persimmon
• Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation: Common Persimmon