The Oriental persimmon has been named a Texas Superstar plant, recognizing a fruit tree well suited to Texas growing conditions. AgriLife Today reported that horticulture specialist Larry Stein considers it relatively free of major insect and disease problems.
Also known as Japanese persimmon, the tree produces sweet fruit and has glossy, dark green foliage and bright orange fruit that provide contrast in home landscapes. Stein is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences in Uvalde. He ranks the tree among the more consistent, low-maintenance fruit trees for Texas gardeners.
According to AgriLife, Texas Superstar selections undergo years of field trials by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension. Evaluations consider appearance, reliability and performance across the state’s varied soils, temperatures and growing conditions.
A nine-member executive board of horticulture faculty and professionals makes the selections. Its members represent AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, the Department of Horticultural Sciences and Texas Tech University in Lubbock. AgriLife Research owns the Texas Superstar registered trademark.
Choosing a planting site
Full sun supports the most fruit production, according to AgriLife. Oriental persimmons tolerate most soil types, but the soil must drain well and should not retain standing water for more than about 12 hours.
The trees generally reach 10 to 15 feet tall, although some can grow to 40 feet depending on the variety and rootstock. Stein recommends planting from fall through winter and spacing trees 12 to 15 feet apart.
Variety determines when fruit is ready to eat
Oriental persimmons fall into two groups: astringent and non-astringent. The distinction affects when the fruit becomes palatable. Astringent varieties must ripen fully before eating, a process usually helped by a stretch of cooler weather. Varieties that perform well in Texas include Eureka, Hachiya, Tani-nashi and Tamopan, according to AgriLife.
Non-astringent varieties, including Fuyu, can be eaten once they change color, without waiting for the fruit to soften.
Stein said non-astringent varieties routinely measure 15 to 18 Brix, a measure of sugar content in fruit, while astringent varieties can reach 18 to 25 Brix. For comparison, AgriLife describes watermelons measuring 11 to 12 Brix as extra sweet. The agency also reports that persimmons are high in vitamin A.
Different from native persimmons
Oriental persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is distinct from both common American persimmon and Texas persimmon. Trees grown in Texas are typically grafted onto rootstock from common American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, an eastern U.S. native that produces much smaller fruit.
Texas persimmon, Diospyros texana, produces small, edible purple fruit. Stein cautioned that improved Oriental persimmon varieties cannot be grafted onto Texas persimmon.
