PlantFiles: Japanese Persimmon, Oriental Persimmon, Sharon Fruit, Kaki
Diospyros kaki 'Tamopan'

In great contrast to the American persimmon Diospyros virginiana which has never advanced beyond the status of a minor fruit, the Oriental member of the family Ebenaceae, D. kaki, is prominent in horticulture.
The Oriental persimmon is native to Japan, China, Burma, the Himalayas and northern India, to name a few. Early in the 14th century, Marco Polo recorded the Chinese trade in persimmons. Seeds first reached the United States in 1856 when they were sent from Japan by Commodore Perry. Grafted trees were imported in 1870 by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

We have had this tree for 30 years and still produces bumper crops.
This year was amazing, had to thin out the fruit to keep branches from breaking. The tree is about 35 feet tall and we are not able to pick all the fruit because it is too high, but the birds love what we leave for them, especially the Mockingbirds and the Cedar Waxwings that come in big flocks every Fall to eat the fruit.
This tree has also given us many friends ans aquaintances. We live on a corner lot and the tree sits up front on the corner, so we have many passerby stop and talk to us about the fruit, which we are allways happy to share. I must say this tree has given us the most enjoyment.