The persimmon tree belongs to the genus Diospyros, with the most commonly recognized varieties native to either North America or Asia. These deciduous trees are distinctive in their winter form and fall fruit production, offering several unique visual markers for identification. Understanding the specific physical traits of the trunk, foliage, and fruit allows for accurate distinction of the tree throughout the seasons.
Overall Tree Shape and Growth Habit
Persimmon trees are medium-sized deciduous trees, reaching a mature height typically between 30 and 60 feet, though some American varieties may exceed 80 feet. The crown shape of the mature tree tends to be irregular, varying from an oval or pyramidal form to a more rounded or oblong canopy. Its branches often spread, creating a moderate density.
The trunk tends to be relatively slender compared to other hardwood species. The branches often possess a subtle zigzag pattern, especially noticeable in the winter months after the leaves have dropped. American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) often develops a dominant, erect trunk, while the Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) may present a more multitrunked or spreading appearance. The wood itself is known for being extremely hard.
Identifying Features of Bark and Foliage
The bark of a mature persimmon tree, particularly the American variety, is its most recognizable feature, possessing a unique texture often described as “alligator bark.” This appearance is characterized by thick, dark gray to black bark that is deeply furrowed into small, flat-topped, blocky plates that resemble a checkerboard pattern. Fissures between these blocks often expose an inner bark that is noticeably lighter, sometimes showing an orange tinge.
The foliage consists of alternate, simple leaves that are oval to elliptic in shape, usually measuring between 2.5 and 6 inches long. The leaf surface is typically a glossy dark green on top, contrasted by a paler, sometimes slightly fuzzy underside. In the fall, the leaves transform into shades of bright yellow, vivid orange, and deep red before dropping.
Physical Characteristics of the Fruit
The fruit of the persimmon is botanically a berry, appearing as a fleshy, rounded globe that varies significantly in size and shape depending on the species and cultivar. Immature fruit begins as a firm, light green orb, gradually progressing through shades of yellow and deepening to a bright orange or reddish-orange hue as it ripens. The size can range from a small sphere of about 1.5 inches in diameter for some American types to a much larger fruit nearing 3.5 inches for many Asian cultivars.
A distinguishing visual marker is the persistent calyx, a structure of four thick, leathery, green lobes that sits like a cap on the top of the fruit. This enlarged calyx remains firmly attached to the fruit even after harvest. Fruit shapes are diverse, including globoid, subgloboid, and distinctly acorn-like or heart-shaped forms. The presence of the fruit, often remaining on the branches late into the fall and even early winter, makes the tree highly identifiable during the cold season.
Distinguishing American and Asian Varieties
The two most common species, Diospyros virginiana (American) and Diospyros kaki (Asian/Japanese), are most easily separated by their fruit size and bark development. The American persimmon fruit is consistently smaller, typically ranging from 1 to 2 inches across, often with a more variable, globoid shape. In contrast, Asian varieties generally produce significantly larger fruit, often 2 to 3.5 inches in diameter, presenting with more uniform, commercially cultivated shapes like the flattened ‘Fuyu’ or the elongated ‘Hachiya’.
Visually, the bark of a mature American persimmon typically develops the characteristic deep, blocky, nearly black alligator pattern. While the Asian persimmon also has furrowed bark, it is usually less rugged, lacking the pronounced, thick, squarish plates of its American counterpart. Furthermore, the mature tree size of the American species is often substantially taller, commonly reaching 60 feet or more, whereas the Asian species tends to be a shorter, broader tree, often topping out near 25 to 30 feet.