In Jan, 2015 I planted a Yates American Persimmon tree via mail order from Burnt Ridge. This was a small, containerized tree. I do not have male persimmons for pollinators. It was difficult to find much info on how this persimmon would do in the cool maritime Pacific NW climate here.
It's been difficult for me to find much information about any American persimmons in this area, so I wanted to share my experiences.
The tree bore a few fruits last year (2017). Not bad for a 2 year old fruit tree. It's a fast grower, too. Today I noted that persimmons have been falling off the tree. There are also some remaining on the tree.
My conclusion is that Yates American Persimmon will grow and bear fruit in the climate here, without a pollinator around. In addition, despite our short summers and cool spring and fall seasons, this year they ripened starting in early October. This is before the Nikita's Gift and Saijo persimmons are ripe in the same orchard. As to how it will do in the future, I don't know yet. But they are delicious, and early bearing, and the tree is doing great. This year, the summer was was very hot and dry. I was not up to watering this tree, so it was on its own. It does have a tree leaf mulch. If I had watered it, maybe the fruits would have been larger, but I'm not complaining.
Sounds great Daniel. It's one that I would love to grow.
I have noticed that over the years, persimmons would ripen about the end of October and barely ripen in November. Now they ripen in September and keep ripening all the way into November, but some trees are done by about the time they used to start ripening.
John S
PDX OR
Here are the Yates persimmons this year. They are ripening about a month earlier than last year compared to 2018. We ate a few that had fallen off the tree, only one was still astringent. This tree is Diospyros virginiana on D. virginiana rootstock, and now only 4 years old. I did not water it at all this summer, but the septic system drainage field is about 20 feet away. I don't think that is close enough to make a difference. I think the American persimmon roots are just very deep growing and fairly drought resistant. We do not pour any cleaners or other toxic stuff down the drain. The tree has a makeshift deer fence, but they could browse overhanging branches if they wanted. In previous years, they would eat the tender new growth. So far this year, browsing is minimal. I also have a Prairie Star (or is it Prairie Sun?) American Persimmon tree that is finally tall enough, possibly to start bearing fruit next year. I love these fruits. They are delicious and unusual, easy care and ripen at a time when about the only other ripe fruits are apples.
My Garretson American persimmon tree produced a ton of fruit this year with no seeds. The taste is good, but I think not quite as good, and the fruit are smaller. My Szukis mostly male tree is right next to it, and it has many fruits! Normally it has none or a few. We will have many mysteries over the years. Good for the brain. Will help us old folks fight Alzheimer's. Kind of like a 3D crossword puzzle that you can eat, and improves your health.
John S
PDX OR
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