It was hilarious. Shape young plants by pruning the shoots during the first few seasons. The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is an attractive native tree that requires very little maintenance when planted in appropriate sites. Fact Sheet ST-230 November 1993 Diospyros texana Figure 1. It is found in dry, rocky areas of central, west, and south Texas. Persimmon trees grow throughout Texas and the U.S. Persimmons are small fruit trees that rarely grow as high as 40 feet. The tree has smooth gray to tan bark and is upright reaching heights of 1-2 meters. Print This Page Texas Persimmon. Either way, it is a very worthy tree. Diospyros virginiana is a persimmon species commonly called the American persimmon, common persimmon, eastern persimmon, simmon, possumwood, possum apples, or sugar plum. If you enjoy persimmon fruit, you may want to consider growing American persimmons. Texas ebony that Tim is referring to is a great wood but not in the ebony family. The fruit should be allowed to hang on the tree as long as possible unless varmints are an issue; then remove the fruit with a gentle pull when they develop a vibrant orange color. Diospyros texana, is found in northern Mexico and Central and West Texas; it is especially abundant in the Edwards Plateau area. Few insect pests attack persimmons. It thrives in sands to bottomland as long as the soils do not stand in water. The small trees grow to 12 to 15 ft. tall and wide, and they more closely resemble yaupon holly trees than they do persimmons. Many wild animals are attracted to the fruit including opossums, raccoons, birds, deer, and rats. However, some specimens along the upper Texas coast may reach 50 feet tall. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Still, knowing when to eat persimmons is the key to enjoying them. It is in the pea or legume family. 10). The heartwood is hard and dense and takes a high polish. Texas persimmon looks more like crapemyrtle when older, and is usually multi-stemmed with smooth bark. Persimmons are medium-to-large, fruit-bearing trees that grow naturally in China, Japan, Mexico and the southern U.S. Types. Can you see the aesthetic quality in the smooth, gray bark of the trunk and branches of the Texas Persimmon tree? That’s fine with me, since my biggest Texas persimmon hangs partially over our pool. This pruning forces growth into framework branches off a central leader. Prune mature plants during the winter. COMMON NAMES: MEXICAN PERSIMMON, BLACK PERSIMMON, CHAPOTE BOTANICAL NAME: Diospyros texana (dye-OSS-pear-os TEX-ann-ah) FAMILY: Ebonaceae (Persimmon or Ebony Family) TYPE: Small deciduous fruit tree, evergreen in the most southern parts of the state but deciduous from San Antonio north. Fuyu Persimmon - Duration: 2:55. This usually happens when fruit of astringent varieties become soft; non-astringent fruit can be eaten as soon as they develop a deep rich orange color. You will be able to enjoy its beauty in all seasons. 7). Even if the soil is wet at planting, the tree needs to be watered to settle the soil around the root system. A small tree to 40 feet, often low-forking or multi-trunked, with an open, oval crown. Soil adaption The common American persimmon, used as the rootstock for Oriental persimmon trees, is widely adapted in Texas. Although fruit drop may reduce the overall yield, this fruit thinning can enable fruit to grow bigger. Persimmon Trees. Unripe persimmon. The fruit stores extremely well on the tree and is seedless. Most persimmons, except ‘Fuyu’ and ‘Izu’, are astringent and must be fully ripe and soft or the astringency will really pucker your mouth. The wood, which is very hard, is prized by woodworkers and is used to make golf clubs. Texas Persimmon. Look for the characteristic fruit in summer. Branches ascend into the crown in a twisted fashion unlike most other trees. Prepare the orchard site before the planting. Persimmon fruits ripen on the tree in fall, providing a source of food throughout the winter. Its not grown commercially as much as the Asian persimmon, but this native tree produces fruit with a richer taste. It is has been  an important fruit crop in each of those countries for hundreds of years. Trees infected with crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) develop tumors or galls on their branches and roots, which eventually become hard and rough. is a moderately productive, cone-shaped, orange persimmon. It has simple, alternate, one to two-inch-long, small, dark green, oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges that are slightly rolled under. Unlike the cultivated persimmon, the wild persimmon varieties are small and very astringent until completely ripe. However, they are not as easy to come by as other fruit trees. Trees have been adapted from wild specimens. The astringency is caused by tannins in the peel.