Persimmon Tree

Found this Persimmon tree downhill from other trees we were looking at. This type of tree grows tall with very short branches.

Such small branches for this height. But this is normal. I'm wondering how much fruit can be produced by this tree. I was thinking, is our purpose as Christians to be noticed by our growth or to produce fruit for the kingdom. Let us not seek the glory from others but seek the fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Tree Measurements
Height was 61'
Circumference 25 3/4"
Canopy Spread 13 X 13 feet
Total points  90

Persimmon Fruit

These fruit are Persimmon. They taste good when ripe. But really bitter before.

Isaiah 16:9

"Therefore I will weep bitterly for Jazer, for the vine of Sibmah; I will drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; For the shouting over your summer fruits and your harvest has fallen away."

Persimmon Bark

In our woods hike yesterday we came across a patch of Persimmon trees. I counted 13 in the area. Here is a close up detail of the bark.

Persimmon

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I found some Persimmon that had been cut by a brush hog, now growing back from stump sprouts. This is the first time I have IDed this tree as a sapling. The large lenticles on the stems stand out.

Common Persimmon Diospyros Virginiana

There are other persimmon around this area. This seems to be the largest one. They can grow past 20 inches diameter though this one is just bigger than 12 inches. I live near the northern edge of its range so height and diameter growth will not approach the record.

No other tree is like a Persimmon, so I always enjoy seeing them. The blocky bark is very distinctive. The fruit is good if you catch it at the right time in the Fall. If not it will be bitter.

Persimmon

Persimmon tree ID'ed by the blocky bark.


I found a Persimmon tree recently. It is interesting to see a branch scar so close to the ground. The top of the branch scar is only 3' off of the ground. Measuring the diameter of the tree it was 11 inches. The height only came to about 47 feet so it would not be a record tree.

Note: I am not talking about state records. I am talking about my records which I run across in my woods wanderings.

This Persimmon is not growing tall because it is under a Shingle oak.

There must be some other reason for this scar than a failed branch. That reminds me when I look at some people, I see things which don't seem right. But I don't know the reason and would do well to pray for them rather then judge them.

Persimmon / Diospyros virginiana

Persimmon trees are usually found scattered amoungst hardwoods.

The tree, when the conditions are right, multiply rapidly. Open fields provide a ripe enviorment for producing groves. I found my first grove of Persimmon as I was heading back from my hike last week.

It is in a former field that is reverting back to forest. Much of the undergrowth is invasive bush honeysuckle from Asia. The many Persimmon continue to thrive here. I took a video showing the preponderance of the tree. I am not sure how old they are but there are many trees, over 100 I would guess. I don't know if this has any importance, but there was a Black walnut tree in the middle of the Persimmon grove.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?

symbol=DIVI5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_persimmon

Persimmon Tree

Not a big tree but I always enjoy it when I come across one.

Circumferance 26.5"
Height 60'
Canopy 12' & 19'
Points 90.4

Tree Combo

Here is a Shingle oak on the left growing next to a Persimmon on the right. As these trees get older it would be interesting seeing how the trees become a combo tree.

Persimmon

When I think of Common Persimmon Diospyros virginiana (Another name for it is possomwood) I think of blocky bark. No other bark resembles this in northern Missouri. I usually find the tree alone not with no other persimmons nearby. When I am walking in the woods it is a surprise to come upon one.

The fruit is edible if you catch it just at the right time in the Autumn. Otherwise its sour. 1 to 1 1/2” in dia. And is turns orange and wrinkled when ripe. (photo of the fruit)

Desoto mentioned it in 1539 and Jan de Laet in 1558. Captain John Smith near Jamestown said that it was awful if you don't catch the fruit at the right time.

Buds are black with 2 scales. Leaves egg shaped with a stem of about 1 inch. But the bark is the IDer on this one.

It grows up to 60' tall in the open or 30' with a shorter trunk and broad crown is a more normal size.

Osage Indians of Missouri made a bread that tasted similar to ginger bread. Taking the pulp of the fruit and mixing it with cornmeal.

The wood of the tree is similar to ebony. It is from the ebony family. The wood is hard and heavy.

Sapwood is creamy white. Commercial use of this wood comes from the sap wood. When the wood has been warn it polishes to a smooth surface. Crafters don't have much access to the wood because the lumber is scarce.

Where I have been finding it is in the Missouri river bottom lands where it grows tall and straight. It will invade pastures and abandoned fields.

Treenotes had a good article on this tree.

I knew where another Persimmon tree was and was hiking there at lunch. I saw I wasn't going to have enough time to get back to it so I was following a gully and came across this one.

Though life may be bitter at times,
The Lord brings sweetness to my soul.

The wind may be cold,
and the driving rain bitter,
But Oh how sweet it is to rest in the Lord.