Diospyros kaki aka Persimmon

Diospyros kaki is a deciduous fruit tree in the ebony family. Common names include kaki, Japanese persimmon, and Oriental persimmon. Kew places its native range from Assam to China and Vietnam. That range also includes Taiwan. Growers have long raised it in China and Japan. It provides both food and shade in gardens.

Garden trees often reach 20–30 feet (6–9.1 metres) tall. Their crowns spread about 15–30 feet (4.6–9.1 metres) wide. RHS gives a taller range, reaching 39 feet (12 metres). Useful Tropical Plants records an extreme of 89 feet (27 metres). The crown is round, and outer branches may hang down. Brown-gray bark has deep cracks that form rough blocks. The gray stems may have hairs or lack them. Oval leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the shoots. Their smooth edges frame a glossy green upper surface. New leaves start yellow-green, then darken through the summer. Fall brings shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Small bell-shaped flowers appear in spring or early summer. North Carolina records April bloom; Missouri gives May to June. Female flowers grow alone and have cream-colored petals. Pink male flowers grow in groups of three. Most trees carry flowers of just one sex. Some carry both, and seedless fruit can form without pollination. The orange berries are round or oval and ripen in fall. They can remain on bare branches into winter. Young trees may need four to six years before fruiting.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. Deep, moist loam suits it, though it accepts other soils. It tolerates drought but prefers moisture for garden growth. Shelter helps protect it from cold winds and late frosts. Missouri lists USDA zones 7–10, with best growth in 8–10. RHS rates its UK hardiness H4. Gardeners can train it against a wall as an espalier. It also serves as a hedge or screen. Remove root suckers unless you want a spreading planting.

Scale, mealybugs, and leaf spot can occur. RHS also reports rare cases of honey fungus. Fallen fruit makes litter, so keep fruiting trees away from paths. Eat ripe fruit fresh or use it in cooked dishes. Leaves can make tea. Astringent fruit needs to soften fully before eating. Florida Extension warns that large amounts of unripe fruit can harm people. Its tannins can also cause hard masses that block digestion.