'Early Golden' American Persimmon

Early Golden American Persimmon is a popular variety first described in the late 1800s and still considered one of the best. It ripens earlier than many other American persimmons, producing abundant crops of deep orange fruit from September into October. The flavour is very sweet, rich, and complex, making it highly prized for fresh eating, drying, baking, and traditional persimmon puddings.

Early Golden is an astringent persimmon, meaning the fruit must be fully ripe and soft before eating—once softened, the astringency disappears and the flesh becomes very sweet and richly flavoured, with a custard-like texture.

Early Golden produces predominately female flowers, which can set seedless fruit without pollination, so you only need one tree. It will also occasionally produce male flowers, which can pollinate its female flowers, resulting in fruit with some seeds.

American persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) are generally larger and more vigorous trees than Asian persimmons (Diospyros kaki). Early Golden can reach 30-50 feet tall with a broad crown and striking yellow to golden orange fall foliage.

Common names: Early Golden Persimmon, Early Golden American Persimmon

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: September - October (earlier than most American persimmons)

Scientific name: Diospyros virginiana 'Early Golden'
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 30-50' tall x 20-30' wide
Hardiness: Zone 4
Pollination: Self-fruitful; predominantly female-flowering and capable of setting seedless fruit without pollination. May occasionally produce male flowers. Cross-pollination can increase fruit set and results in seeded fruit.
Wildlife: Fruit is highly attractive to birds, deer, raccoons, and other wildlife; blossoms provide nectar for pollinators.
Origin: Species native to eastern and central North America.
Noteworthy: Persimmon wood is prized for its hardness and is genetically related to ebony.