American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
American Persimmon is a medium to large deciduous tree native to the Northeast and Southeast of North America. (Zone 4-9) They can grow up to 100’ tall if planted in ideal conditions. Diospyros are a wildlife tree that attract many species including diverse birds, insects such as luna moths and honey bees, deer, fox, opossums, raccoons, and skunks. Their fruits ripen from autumn into winter and their flavor is like a sweet and juicy date. When immature, they contain tannins which produce an astringent flavor. The ripe fruits drop to the ground and sweeten after the first frost.
Persimmons can be found throughout a range of forests. They prefer moist rich, sandy loam, or clay soil - on the edges of fields or in the clearings of more mature woodland. We have found persimmon in the dry mesic oak forests and dry oak-pine forests common to New Jersey. Persimmon is an Algonquian word and Diospyros means ‘The Fruit of Zeus.’ in Greek.
HOW TO PLANT YOUR SEEDS
Outdoors
Soak seeds 24 hours before planting. Seeds can be planted in pots or directly in the ground in select sites. To plant in pots, select a container deep enough to allow some root growth room. I use 1 gallon or deep quart pots. For soil, we collect native forest soil from areas that are less sensitive. You can also purchase a potting mix for woodland plants with good drainage. Organic Mechanics Seed Potting Mix is a good local brand. You can always mix bagged soil with some native soil that has decent drainage, because the seeds are acclimated to the native soil from their parent genetics. Dense clay doesn’t provide good drainage for pots, so try to find loamy forest soil or soil from a local yard. Always check before you dig anywhere for sensitive species or wildlife.
Plant seeds 2” deep with the pointy end facing down. Cover your pots with fine netting or screen to keep out wildlife. Sometimes sneaky rodents will steal seeds if looking for a cold-weather snack. Water in the pots regularly if there isn’t consistent rain, and if they are dry. A sunny location is best. They will overwinter outdoors and go through a process called cold stratification. This cold-moist process helps break apart the seed coating and allows the embryos to germinate. The freeze and thaw of winter weather helps the saplings break ground in spring!
Indoors
*Soak seeds 24 hours before planting. You can also mimic winter in a refrigerator and start your seeds indoors. They will need up to three months of cold moist refrigeration/stratification. I often wrap the seeds in a clean paper towel that I wet with water, and place in a plastic ziplock bag. I change out the paper towel periodically to avoid any bacterial buildup. After three months, seeds can be planted out in pots with adequate sunlight. I have had success by starting them in our windows in late winter/ early spring. Pot them up the same way as mentioned for the outdoors.
Dividing Saplings
Depending on how many seeds you plant in a pot, you may want to separate saplings in spring. This can be done by carefully digging up the roots with the soil and moving into bigger individual pots. Keep all pots watered in and keep in sun/ part sun. After one year of growth, the trees will be large enough to be transplanted out into the ground.
WHERE TO PLANT YOUR 1- YEAR OLD SAPLINGS
IN YOUR YARD
Look for cleared soil, or prep a bed. Keep the areas surrounding the trees maintained so that other species don’t compete for resources. New saplings will thrive if mulched in with deciduous leaf mulch (never mounded around the trunks), and a good drink of water regularly. Running a drip line is a good option if you are saving the trees on your land. Biodegradeable tree rings are also recommended.
IN THE WILD
If planting in the wild, select sites with good moisture, sunlight, and soil nutrients. Young trees are sometimes browsed by deer and other wildlife, so tree rings or cages are sometimes implemented. (Search biodegradable tree guards to find a diverse selection). These can be adjusted with the growth of the tree, so revisiting sites may be necessary. Once the saplings are one year old and have been kept outside in the elements, they should be adapted to the weather patterns and receive their water from rain. A drink after transplanting is always appreciated!
You can also plant your saplings in the wild in places that are less likely to be disturbed. Also remember that humans maintain land, so making small signs for public spaces and adding tree rings to your trees may prevent from human caused damage.
Thank you for joining in the reforestation efforts we can all be a part of! Purchase seeds or donate to our cause on our online shop here - https://earthenorigins.org/shop-donate.
