{"product_id":"american-persimmon-tree","title":"American Persimmon Tree","description":"\u003ch3\u003eDiospyros virginiana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe American Persimmon is a long-lived, hardy native tree that brings year-round interest to the landscape, from its glossy summer foliage to its vibrant autumn colors and unique \"alligator\" bark. Beyond its ornamental beauty, it is a productive fruit tree that rewards the patient gardener with sweet, rich-fleshed fruit that is perfect for fresh eating, baking, or drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Hub:\u003c\/b\u003e A vital food source for a wide array of wildlife, including deer, birds, squirrels, opossums, and foxes, which forage for the fallen fruit throughout the fall and winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinator Support:\u003c\/b\u003e The tree’s fragrant, bell-shaped flowers provide significant nectar, making it an excellent addition to pollinator-focused gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Resilience:\u003c\/b\u003e With a deep, anchoring taproot, this species is exceptionally sturdy and can assist with soil stabilization and erosion control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardy Native:\u003c\/b\u003e As a North American native, it is naturally adapted to regional conditions, thriving with minimal intervention and showing impressive resistance to most pests and diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types and urban conditions, excellent cold hardiness, and virtually carefree once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e Patience is required—unripe fruit is extremely astringent and bitter. Because of its deep taproot, it can be difficult to transplant, and seedling trees may take several years before they begin to produce fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eDiospyros virginiana\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e American Persimmon, Common Persimmon, Jove’s Fruit, Possum Apple, Winter Plum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 30–50 feet (can reach up to 80 feet in ideal conditions)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 20–35 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate (approx. 1 foot per year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e Long-lived\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 4–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e 100–400 hours\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Prefers moist, well-drained, sandy soils; tolerates clay and poor, dry soils\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Acidic to neutral (5.0–8.0)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but is drought-tolerant once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Creamy white to greenish-yellow; late spring to early summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Small (1–2 inch) round berry; ripens in fall to orange, red, or sometimes blue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e Usually dioecious (requires male and female trees); some grafted varieties are self-pollinating\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Upright, rounded to oval crown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 24–60 feet depending on variety and site goals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Native gardens, orchards, wildlife habitats, ornamental focal points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Low; requires little pruning once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Ensure young trees receive regular, deep waterings during the establishment phase; mature trees are relatively drought-tolerant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil, keeping in mind that the tree’s deep taproot makes it difficult to move once planted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture, but keep it clear of the trunk to prevent rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Seedling trees typically begin fruiting in 4–9 years, while grafted trees may produce fruit in as little as 2–4 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Prune young trees to develop a strong, central leader or open-center structure to better support the weight of future fruit harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally unnecessary; the tree is well-adapted to varied soil fertility, though compost can be added to poor soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"1-2ft","offer_id":51658710450471,"sku":"ST95A1","price":41.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2-3ft","offer_id":51658710483239,"sku":"ST95A1","price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/PERSIMMONAMERICAN116.jpg?v=1789772352","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/american-persimmon-tree","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}