Fuyu Persimmon Care and Planting

Select a planting spot that will be visible from your windows, to take full advantage of the tree's beauty. It will grow 25 to 30 feet tall if not pruned, and spread to the same extent, so leave ample space. The Fuyu is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10. But you'll need to give it some shade, if your summers are hot, and some shelter if cold winds are a threat in the spring.

Purchase a Fuyu that has been grafted onto the rootstock of a wild native persimmon, unless you live in a very warm climate. This improves the tree's hardiness. If you buy a non-grafted Fuyu, you'll need to dig an extra-deep hole to accommodate the long taproot.

Plant the tree in rich loam, for best growth. It will tolerate a heavy clay soil better than a sandy soil, as long as drainage is adequate. Water it well, and irrigate regularly during the first year. It might take until late summer for the tree to show signs of new growth, but this is normal and doesn't mean the tree is dead.

Prune the tree regularly, to maximize fruit production or keep its size manageable. Fruit are produced on branches grown the previous year. Fuyus are not quick to produce, so it may take three to five years for your tree to bear fruit.

Irrigate regularly, if you live in a dry climate. Fuyus prefer 20 to 40 inches of water per growing season. Fertilize lightly in the spring, when new growth begins.

Harvest your persimmons, once they've turned from amber to deep yellow-orange. The stems don't part from the tree readily, as other fruits do, so you'll need to snip them free with shears.