Is This a Persimmon Tree?

[Runner]

Could I please get some assistance in identifying this tree? I think it is a persimmon, but the fruit is only 3/4 to one inch in diameter, whereas, I have read that persimmons are bigger than that.

The picture was taken at the end of October and I am located in Missouri. The fruit is kind of slimy and orange inside and has large brown seeds.

Also, whatever this is, is it edible?

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[Western]

Good morning runner,

That sure looks like a persimmon, Have you tasted one?

We used to eat wild ones all the time when I was a kid, the wild ones were always sort of small compared to the ones in the stores.

 

[ToadHill]

I believe it is a Persimmon. The picture makes it look like the tree is badly in need of a pruning. When the tree uses all it's energy producing branches and leaves, the fruit gets only what is left.

Give the tree a good pruning, start with any dead wood, next all branches that are growing stright up (Watersprouts), then any crossing branches. Never remove more than 25-30% of the tree any year. (don't count the dead wood.) Now is the time to prune and you'll much larger fruit this fall.

 

[mjarrels]

Yep... wait until you have a couple heavy frost before eating!

mark

 

[Runner]

Thanks for the responses.

No, haven't tried the fruit yet, afraid I'd keel over dead or something if it wasn't edible.

Thanks for the pruning tip. Now that I know this is acutally a fruit tree I'll give it a try. I have two of these on the property and they both seem to be growing wild in the "south 40".

I also have some apple trees on the property that were neglected, and was amazed at the difference a good pruning made. When I say difference, I mean I had no apples the first year and two trees FULL of apples the second year.

Thanks again for the assist.

 

[Bird]

Yep... wait until you have a couple heavy frost before eating!

mark

Mark, everyone needs to eat a slightly green persimmon sometime.

 

[mjarrels]

Yes sir Bird... its something you will never forget!

mark

 

[mbohuntr]

Oh yeahhhhh , like an alum sandwich soaked in lemon.

 

[Western]

Mark, everyone needs to eat a slightly green persimmon sometime.

So true Bird, been there done that!

I thought only politicians ate un-ripe persimmons anymore

 

[tallyho8]

I have a persimmon tree exactly like that one in my front yard. I was told that it was mainly ornamental and that the fruit was inedible. I had to try it anyway. It is mostly seed and I would rather use turpentine for mouthwash than eat another one.

Our squirrels eat every pear off our pear tree next to it but they won't even eat these persimmons. Even the possums don't eat them.

And my neighbor just cut down a persimmon tree in his front yard that always had large, very flavorful persimmons. He said he thought it was dead. They do look dead during winter but start blooming back to life about this time of year in our area.