{Our Diospyros virginiana L - Eastern Persimmon}

In our wood garden we discovered for the very first time lots of fruits on a tree we have had for many years. It appears to be a Diospyros virginiana L or Eastern Persimmon. When ripe, the sweet fruit of Persimmon somewhat recalls the flavor of dates. Immature fruit contains tannin and is strongly astringent. Persimmons are consumed fresh and are used to make puddings, cakes, and beverages. American Indians made persimmon bread and stored the dried fruit like prunes. Opossums, raccoons, skunks, deer, and birds also feed upon the fruit. Principal uses of the wood are for golf-club heads, shuttles for textile weaving, and furniture veneer. The word persimmon is of Algonquian origin, while the genus name Diospyros, from the Greek, means fruit of the god Zeus. For more info just click on the hyperlink in the name above of Diospyros virginiana L.

October 13 shows perfect fruits and as we tasted them, they indeed somewhat recall the flavor of dates. They do have several stones so there is not that much fruit-flesh left to eat from. We leave them totally to the wildlife for snacking on.

This was on November 10. They kind of cling to the branches with no stem on the fruits. You see the leaves turning pretty yellow already.

This and the next images are from October 13 with still green leaves. Someone is also snacking on the leaves...

It will ask for some skill for getting those fruits off. We had a hard time doing so...

Maybe a raccoon or possum will get to them easily?

Providing Food & Shelter for our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT for which we earned our certificate: Our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate from August 1997