Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Whole tree — Diospyros virginiana. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMark Robinson ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Leaf spot may occur.
Insects to recognize
No major insect problem is emphasized in the NC State profile.
When to look
Inspect leaves during humid summer weather.
A useful first step
Monitor light spotting and investigate repeated early leaf loss; compare root and soil conditions with healthy trees.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Oval blades have smooth edges and alternate attachment. Combine them with bark and fruit rather than using shape alone.
Read the bark
Dark bark becomes divided into thick square blocks, often likened to alligator skin.
Fruit & seed
Female trees may bear rounded orange fruits topped by a four-lobed calyx.
Winter character
Blocky bark and dark alternate buds remain useful on bare trees.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
WNC Notes
Tough native with edible fruit; seedlings are usually dioecious, and dropped fruit affects placement.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
30–80
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
20–35
BLOOM SEASON
Late spring
BLOOM COLOR
Greenish white
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow-purple
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Low
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Diospyros virginiana. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMark Robinson ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: Shoots with leaves & bell-shaped white flowers.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeFritzflohrreynolds ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Shoot bearing alternate, ovate leaves with entire margins. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeJean-Pol GRANDMONT ↗ · CC BY 3.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Trunks with black, chunky, furrowed bark — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMark Robinson ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Single fruit, orange with prominent calyx & persistent style. — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeKatja Schulz ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
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