Sun. Deciduous. Persimmon’s botanical name translates to “fruit of the gods” and describes the phenomenal flavor of the fruit — but only when fully ripe in autumn. (Ripe fruit becomes gelatinous and custard-like under its orange skin; firm, unripe fruit can be intensely mouth-puckering.)
Although persimmon is rarely used in San Antonio landscaping these days, older specimens can still be found growing in some neighborhoods, with fruit littering sidewalks around Thanksgiving. In areas with appropriate soil type and depth, the trees grow quite tall, with distinctive scaly bark and thick leaves.
The dense, hard wood is shock resistant and has been used in high-impact applications like tool handles and golf clubs.
In abandoned pastures and lots persimmon can sucker extensively to form thickets. Persimmon trees are strong-wooded and can grow tall. To prune, focus on minimizing dead, damaged, or rubbing branches.
A tough, tall-growing tree with edible fruit, uncommonly grown in San Antonio.
