'Killen' is a small to medium-sized cultivar in the Ebenaceae family whose parent plant is native to central and eastern United States. It is beautiful, delicious and easy to grow, and offers year-round interest in the landscape. Only one tree is needed as it is self-pollinating. The orange fruits are often free of blemishes and are exceptionally sweet once ripe. The tree is moderately productive. 'Killen' is a cold-hardy tree easily grown in full sun with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 in moist to well-drained soil. It is also adaptable to many varieties of soil and is wind tolerant. 'Killen' typically grows to 25’ tall. The Common persimmon prefers moist, sandy soils but is tolerant of a variety of soils including poor, dry ones. It is drought tolerant once established. It has superior ornamental qualities. Dark green foliage is attractive throughout the growing season before turning excellent shades of red in the fall. The orange fruits, which begin to ripen in the fall, are approximately 1" in diameter with firm skin. Fruits are commonly used in syrups, jellies, ice creams or pies. Persimmon leaves can be used to make teas. The wood is extremely hard and has been used to make golf club heads, billiard cues and shoe lasts. It can be grown as an ornamental or fruit tree in the home landscape, or in naturalized areas for wildlife. Thus, it can be placed in many types of gardens: a butterfly, children's, native, nighttime, pollinator, or rain garden. With spectacular autumn foliage and fruit that extends the harvest late into the fall, they are an excellent addition to an edible landscape. They do produce root suckers. Remove promptly unless a naturalized effect is wanted. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Leaf spot may occur. Fruit drop can be messy. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Diospyros virginiana .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheDiospyros virginiana 'C-100'Diospyros virginiana 'Meader'Diospyros virginiana 'Morris Burton'
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Oval; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are broadly oblong and pointed with smooth edges or some serration. They are 2 to 6 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide with an acuminate apex and rounded base. The lower surface is usually lighter-colored and may have hairs, especially on young leaves. Leaves have a broad mid-rib with dark veins on the underside. Great red foliage in fall.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flower is greenish yellow in color and not showy.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Orange
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Medium-sized, orange fruit with firm texture and good flavor. No blemishes on skin.
Bark color
Black; Dark Gray
Bark detail
It is one of the easiest trees to identify in winter because of its distinctive thick, dark grey bark that is divided by furrows into square blocks resembling a checkerboard, sometimes referred to as "alligator bark."
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems are pubescent. Buds are single, sessile, 2 overlapping scales, 1/4" long, dark reddish - almost black, no terminal bud. Branchlets slender, zigzag, at first light reddish-brown and pubescent. They vary in color from light brown to ashy gray.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
The fruit of the persimmon is a food source for birds, small mammals, white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, and black bears. Deer browse the leaves and twigs.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Play value
Edible fruit; Fragrance; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
The fruit is used in syrups, jellies, ice creams or pies. They can be eaten raw or dried. Persimmon leaves can be used to make teas.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The inner bark and unripe fruit has been used in the treatment of fevers, diarrhea, and hemorrhage, indelible ink made from fruit, flowers used for honey. The fruit was used for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans. The heartwood is nearly black, extremely hard and is used to make golf club heads, billiard cues and shoe lasts.