Why Persimmons Fall Off a Tree?

Poor Irrigation

• Although persimmon trees are somewhat drought tolerant, tree growth is affected in dry soil. This is indicated by smaller fruit size and less fruit quantity. Lack of moisture also causes fruit to start falling prematurely from the tree, cites the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. website. Sufficient soil moisture is also important for the healthy production of shoots and flower buds that produce the coming year's crop.

Water Requirement

• Persimmon trees require about 36 to 48 inches of water a year. Apply the amount with more during spring and summer and tapering off to a less during fall and winter. Water the trees growing in warm, inland areas two to three times every week. Trees in coastal areas may be watered once every six weeks depending on existing soil moisture. When drip systems are use for irrigation, make sure the emitters are not close to the tree trunk.

High Nitrogen

• Like all plants, persimmon trees also benefit from fertilizer application. However the tree has only minimal requirements for fertilizer when growing in good soil. The excessive use of nitrogen in tree is another common reason for prematurely falling persimmons, cites the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. Over fertilizing with nitrogen also causes reduced yield in tree.

Required Nitrogen

• The recommended application rate for nitrogen in persimmons is about a pound for mature trees. The requirement for nitrogen is indicated by a reduced leaf color and by decreased growth where shoots grow less than a foot per year. Use 1 pound of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for every inch of trunk diameter measured at ground level. Fertilize between late winter and early spring by spreading evenly under the tree canopy.