Texas Persimmon

Texas Persimmon is a large shrub or small tree especially well-suited for urban
yards. It grows to 12’-20’ tall with an 8’-12-’ spread. It is deciduous, slow-
growing and can be multi-trunked. There are male and female trees; the females
bear a small, sweet, black fruit that can be messy. Small, white, highly fragrant
flowers appear in spring. The tree is valued for its striking silver-gray bark. It is
also very disease resistant.

Planting Sites: Texas persimmon prefers well-drained limestone or rocky soils and tolerates thin limestone soils. It
will also grow in clays and caliche. The tree needs full or part sun.

Planting Instructions: Dig hole 2 to 3 times larger than, but the same depth as, the nursery container. Carefully
remove plant from container and gently loosen any circling roots or compacted soil around the root ball. Plant at
the same depth as the soil in the container. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch.

Watering Instructions: Water well after planting, using root stimulator according to directions. For at least 3
months, water deeply every 7-10 days to promote deep roots that will withstand drought. Skip a watering after a
rainfall of ½” to 1”. Once established, Texas persimmon is extremely drought-tolerant and probably doesn’t need
supplemental water except in extraordinary drought.

Comments: Prune the trees for shape only. Moderately deer resistant. Flowers attract butterflies. Fruit attracts
birds and small animals. Tree is larval host of the Gray hairstreak and Henrys Elfin butterfly. Fruit juice can be
used as a dye.

Planting and care instructions provided by the
Lindheimer Chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas