Leslie Massey
Persimmon trees, or Diospyros kaki, are part of the Ebony family and are commonly grown in Japan and Australia. They are known for their exceptionally hard black wood and decorative, semi-weeping foliage. In this guide, we will explore the steps to grow and care for a persimmon tree in Australia, including choosing the right location, planting, pruning, and harvesting. With the right knowledge and care, you can enjoy the beauty and fruit of your very own persimmon tree.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right persimmon tree variety
Persimmon trees are commonly grown in Japan and are called the Oriental Kaki. They are part of the Ebony family and are known for their exceptionally hard black wood. The persimmon fruit is about the size of an apple and starts out yellow, turning orange or red as it ripens.
There are two types of persimmons: astringent and non-astringent varieties. Astringent persimmons, such as the 'Hachiya', need to soften significantly before they are palatable, turning from firm and sharply astringent to sweet and soft. They are ready to harvest when they are hard but fully coloured and will ripen off the tree if stored at room temperature. Non-astringent persimmons, like 'Fuyu' and 'Jiro', can be eaten while still firm and crunchy, offering a crisp texture with a sweet taste. They are ready to harvest when they are fully coloured, but for the best flavour, they should be allowed to soften slightly after harvest.
When choosing a persimmon tree variety, consider the size of your garden and the climate. If you have a small backyard or limited space, dwarf varieties such as 'Fuyu' or 'Maher Dwarf' Black Sapote are ideal. These varieties can be kept to 2 metres with pruning and can be grown in large pots. Persimmons are frost-tolerant and will grow in most climates from cool-temperate to subtropical, but they do best in areas with moderate winters and relatively mild summers. They need an open, sunny spot to grow, sheltered from strong winds, and regular watering during the growing season.
To ensure a successful harvest, it is important to protect the fruit from birds and other pests. A net can be used to prevent birds and possums from eating the fruit. Regular pruning is also necessary to keep the tree's shape and encourage branching. Persimmon trees are usually either male or female, but some trees have both male and female flowers. Many cultivars are parthenocarpic, producing seedless fruit without pollination, while some climates require pollination for adequate production.
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Preparing the soil and planting
Persimmon trees are best suited to areas with moderate winters and relatively mild summers. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 0° F when fully dormant, but their leaves will be killed by 26° F. They do not produce well in the high summer heat of desert regions, which may also sunburn the bark. Persimmons are frost-tolerant and will grow in most climates from cool-temperate to sub-tropical.
When preparing the soil and planting a persimmon tree, choose a spot that receives full sun and is sheltered from strong winds. Persimmon trees will also tolerate some partial shade, especially in cooler areas. The soil should be deep, well-drained loam with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Avoid overly salty soil. Dig a deep hole to accommodate the tree's strong taproot.
If growing in a pot, choose a dwarf or grafted persimmon variety. Select a pot or container with good drainage that is at least 50-60 cm wide and deep. Fill the pot with a premium potting mix, firm down the soil around the tree, and water it well to settle its roots. Mulch the top of the soil to retain moisture and ensure the pot can be easily watered during the summer months.
When planting, prune the tip off the tree to encourage side shoots and branching. Regular pruning will also help keep the tree's shape and size under control. Remove any suckers that appear from the base of the tree or below any graft.
To protect your persimmon tree from pests and wildlife, you may need to net it. Insects are rarely a problem, but in the tropics, fruit flies can be a threat. Birds and possums are also partial to the fruit.
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Sunlight and temperature requirements
Persimmon trees require full sun exposure and shelter from strong winds. They can tolerate partial shade but need protection from cooling breezes in cooler areas. They thrive in areas with moderate winters and relatively mild summers, and can tolerate temperatures as low as 0° F when fully dormant. However, they may break dormancy during early warm spells only to be damaged by spring frosts later. The leaves can be killed by temperatures of 26° F. Persimmon trees do not produce well in the high summer heat of desert regions, as this may sunburn the bark and cause the leaves and fruit to drop prematurely.
Persimmon trees are frost-tolerant and can grow in most climates from cool-temperate to subtropical. They are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10. In terms of temperature requirements, persimmon trees need hot summers, and the fruit may retain some astringency when grown in cooler regions. Pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA) persimmons are always edible when firm, while pollination-variant non-astringent (PVNA) fruit are only edible when firm if they have been pollinated.
To ensure the successful growth of your persimmon tree, it is important to provide regular watering, especially during the growing season and dry spells. Persimmon trees can withstand short periods of drought, but adequate watering will result in larger and higher-quality fruit.
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Pruning and pest management
Pruning is an important part of persimmon tree care. When planting a persimmon tree, prune the tip to encourage side shoots and branching. The tree will benefit from a light prune every year to keep its shape. Remove dead wood, weak branching, sucker growth from the base of the trunk, horizontal shoots growing from the main trunk, and any crowding, crossing branches. Make sure not to remove too much of the new season's growth, as persimmon trees fruit on this wood.
If you're planting a bare-root tree during the winter or early spring, cut the branches back to about half their length. This will help the tree establish a root system and more branches in the canopy. To encourage a strong main branch structure, thin new shoots/branches each year until the tree is roughly 5 years old. Prune so that the main branches spread out evenly from the main trunk and do not cross one another.
For the first three years of a persimmon tree's life, pinch off all fruit as it forms in the summer. Do not allow persimmon trees to grow fruit until they are at least 4 years old. Older persimmon trees that are not performing well can be pruned more severely to rejuvenate the tree and stimulate new fruiting branch growth. When pruning for rejuvenation, remove about 1/3 of the oldest branches in the canopy of the tree.
Persimmon trees are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Insects are rarely a problem, but in the tropics, fruit flies can be a threat. Birds and possums may also be partial to the fruit, so the tree may need to be netted for protection. Scale insects are another prevalent pest that can infest persimmon trees. These tiny, immobile insects attach themselves to the stems and leaves, sucking out the sap. Fruit flies lay their eggs inside the fruit, and as the larvae develop, they feed on the fruit, causing it to rot and drop prematurely. Psyllids can also weaken trees, making them more susceptible to diseases and other stressors.
Persimmon trees are also susceptible to diseases such as anthracnose, which affects the leaves and fruit, and phytophthora root rot, which is caused by poorly drained soil. Cinnamon fungus and phytophthora rot are other common issues, so good drainage is important.
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Harvesting and ripening
Persimmons are typically ready for harvest anywhere from April to June, depending on your location and the variety you’ve chosen. The fruit is ready for harvest when its colour begins to change from yellow to orange or red. It is important to use secateurs to cut the fruits from the tree to avoid damaging the skin.
There are two types of persimmons, each with different ripening requirements:
- Non-astringent varieties: These can be eaten when they have completely changed colour, but still have a crunchy apple-like texture. Examples include 'Fuyu' and 'Jiro'.
- Astringent varieties: These must be allowed to go completely soft (with a jam-like texture) before they are palatable. 'Hachiya' is an example of this variety.
If you wish to ripen hard, unripe persimmons, you can put them in a bowl with a ripe apple or banana. The ethylene from these fruits will help the persimmon ripen quickly.
After harvesting the fruit, lightly prune the tree to keep its shape, being careful not to remove too much of the new season's growth as persimmon trees fruit on this wood.
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Frequently asked questions
Persimmon trees grow best in full sun with some air movement and protection from strong winds. They can tolerate partial shade and frost but do not compete well with eucalyptus.
Persimmon trees can withstand a wide range of soil conditions as long as the soil is not overly salty. However, they grow best in deep, well-drained loam with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
Water your persimmon tree deeply once a week during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Persimmon trees can withstand short periods of drought, but regular watering will result in larger and higher-quality fruit.
There are two main types of persimmons: astringent and non-astringent. Astringent persimmons need to soften significantly before they are palatable, while non-astringent persimmons can be eaten while still firm, offering a crisp, apple-like texture.
Prune your persimmon tree lightly after harvesting the fruit to keep its shape. Remove any suckers that appear from the base of the tree or below any graft, taking care not to remove too much of the new season's growth as persimmons fruit on this wood.
