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Diospyros kaki

Diospyros kaki

Japanese persimmon, Oriental persimmon, Sharon fruit

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Description

Diospyros kaki (Japanese persimmon, Oriental persimmon, Sharon fruit) was native to the Yangtze Valley in China from where it was distributed and became naturalised in a large swathe of China and Japan. In 1780, a Japanese specimen was described by Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg and consequently he gave the species its second name in Japanese kaki. The kaki grows in Asia in mixed, deciduous woodland at the edge of the subtropical evergreen forests. Diospyros kaki develops into a large shrub or small tree with a dense round crown, in its native habitat up to a height of 25 metres and in cultivation up to a maximum of ten metres. This tree has been in cultivation for a long time because of its edible fruits; there are as many as 2,800 selections in existence.

The familiar and popular, fragrant and edible, orange-yellow, tomato-like fruits of Diospyros kaki are produced during high summer temperatures. Being dioecious, a female and male tree are needed for fruit formation in September to November. A unique feature is that the pollinator affects the flavour of the fruit. The kaki is also greatly prized for its magnificent and spectacular autumn colours, in a wonderful array of orange, yellow, orange-red and violet shades. The large, pendulous and attractively glossy leaf emerges bronze-green, has a hairy underside and changes to dark green in summer. At the end of June or early July Diospyros kaki bears inconspicuous pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers which are very attractive to bees. Diospyros kaki has a grey-brown bark which is deeply grooved in older specimens.

Diospyros kaki prefers a site on slightly acid and fertile, moist soil where the tree can develop deep roots. Tolerant of some shade but - due in part to its somewhat tender foliage - the tree performs best in a very sunny site in cities and other warm micro-climates. Diospyros kaki is a true park and garden tree. The edible fruits are highly decorative but can be a nuisance when they drop on pavements. 

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees half-stem trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees fruit trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden small garden patio cemetery

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

food forest

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

6 - 9 m

Width

4.5 - 7.5 m

Winter hardiness zone

8A - 11B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals humans

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Diospyros kaki? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Diospyros kaki standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Diospyros kaki standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Diospyros kaki standard tree
half-stem half-stem
Diospyros kaki half-stem
flowers flowers
Diospyros kaki flowers
leaves leaves
Diospyros kaki leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros kaki leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros kaki leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros kaki leaves
leaves leaves
Diospyros kaki leaves
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
fruits fruits
Diospyros kaki fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Diospyros kaki autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Diospyros kaki autumn leaves
bark bark
Diospyros kaki bark
twigs twigs
Diospyros kaki twigs
twigs twigs
Diospyros kaki twigs

Flowers

Flowers

bell-shaped discrete

Flower colour

daffodil

Flowering period

June - July

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

deciduous ovate big polished underside hairy

Autumn colour

yellow-brown orange-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

orange

Fruits

striking edible large aromatic

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

deeply furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

cinnamon-brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

deep extensive tap root

Low grafted on

Diospyros lotus Diospyros virginiana

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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