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Persimmon Trees

cotty16

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
On a previous thread we were discussing the fruit that deer really like. Of course apples were on the list, but it was discussed how they prefer pears over apples and persimmon over all of them.
So, the latest Gurney's catalog came in the mail with $25 in free merchandise. I ordered two persimmon trees that will be delivered in the spring. Do any of you guys have these in your yard or around where you hunt? I'm curious how well they will do. I plan on planting them in the back yard and using what grows for myself as well as baiting by the cameras.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
On a previous thread we were discussing the fruit that deer really like. Of course apples were on the list, but it was discussed how they prefer pears over apples and persimmon over all of them.
So, the latest Gurney's catalog came in the mail with $25 in free merchandise. I ordered two persimmon trees that will be delivered in the spring. Do any of you guys have these in your yard or around where you hunt? I'm curious how well they will do. I plan on planting them in the back yard and using what grows for myself as well as baiting by the cameras.

They are like crack for deer. Crack!
 

epe

Senior Member
6,113
93
Lancaster
There used to be some around a field my dad has hunted for 35 years.. He said the deer used to walk a 1/4 mile farther past Apple trees to get to the persimmons. Years ago the farmer wiped them out making the field bigger.. Dad is still upset about that one...
 

rossbows

Junior Member
When I lived in Tennessee they had some and the deer went crazy for them. I would hunt around them and they are good to eat to very sweet.
 

aholdren

Senior Member
Supporting Member
5,178
151
South East Ohio
I wonder how well they survive. I would definitely put some good manure mix around the plant ball when planting. It just seems to me that the survival rate would be very challanging and I think that it would be quite a few years before you would see any fruit. How mature do they have to be before they start producing? Not trying to be negative Mike but I think you might be disappointed in the long run with their production and survival rate.
 

epe

Senior Member
6,113
93
Lancaster
I wonder how well they survive. I would definitely put some good manure mix around the plant ball when planting. It just seems to me that the survival rate would be very challanging and I think that it would be quite a few years before you would see any fruit. How mature do they have to be before they start producing? Not trying to be negative Mike but I think you might be disappointed in the long run with their production and survival rate.

Just curious why you say that? Have you grown them before
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
We are having pretty good growth success with them so far..No fruit but I hope we are getting close. I am on year 6 or 7 with them. I would think in eastern ohio you MAY want to add a little lime on them in the spring to keep the soil neutral. I know it helps for apple trees. definetly look into the grow tubes.
 

matt hougan

Junior Member
338
0
Dayton area
It seems the American Persimmon trees grow in zone 5&6 which covers all of Ohio. Testing the pH of the soil seems to be in order as well as protecting the young trees from browzing deer. The American variety are either male or female so you will need to plant more than a few to ensure you get some pollination. There are some self pollinators but it looks like they are zone 8-10 trees. I have a spot picked out on my lease that would be perfect for some persimmons. I can remember running into persimmons down near the Pourtsmouth area when I was a kid
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
My grandmother had a few in her yard and the deer would eat under them even with the dogs on the porch. I also have a spot picked on our farm for planting some fruit bearers this spring and permissions would be a first choice. I got the same catalog Cotty, so I might do the same as you...
 

aholdren

Senior Member
Supporting Member
5,178
151
South East Ohio
Just curious why you say that? Have you grown them before

I have no experience with them at all, hell I can't even get a spruce to grow LOL. I just have never knew anyone that has planted these, also Ive only seen them in the woods and the ones that are productive are very mature.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
What kind of persimmon are you guys buying? Back home we had one with small persimmons that were about the size of a ping pong ball. But there is an asian variety with persimmons as large as apples..
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Also.. Amazon has them in both the American and Asian Variety.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&x=18&tag=theoh-20&linkCode=ur2&y=20&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=persimmon%20tree&url=search-alias%3Dgarden">Persimmon Trees</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=theoh-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
Cotty, i have bought quite a few things from this website and so has my neighbor and they have been of excellent quality


www.musserforests.com.


if you do trees get you one of these


http://realtreenursery.com/Grow-Tubes-54518.Item.html


these are how the young trees will survive. they keep the deer off of them, keep the trunks growing straight and also get the added benefit of the greenhouse effect (longer growing season). I have some swamp white oaks growing right now in tubes and one tree that is caged for a control. the ones in the tubes are over twice as tall as the control one. By a cheap stake from TSC and put beside them and zip tie them to that. they will be out of the tubes in a bout 2 years is my bet. Also shop around for the tubes. prices vary quite a bit
 
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xbowguy

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
29,632
234
Licking Co. Ohio
Read an article recently about nurseries grafting mature branches on seedling pear trees. This is supposed to give you fruit in like 3 or 4 years if I remember correctly....(and they are not dwarf trees)... This variety is excellent for the deer. Article said to just call your chosen nursury and explain what you want and they will direct you. They are a little more pricey, but faster fruit also.
We did a study on apples and deer.....Golden Delicous are the preferred variety. Other yellow apples are top of the line also. Jonathan apples are the last on their list. They will eat them all eventually......... But certain piles were the first to go in the same area.