Kaki (Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu')
Grow Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu' for beautiful ornamental structure and sweet, non-astringent Kaki fruit perfect for late-fall harvests.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ is a highly valued deciduous tree renowned for providing both structure and a prized edible harvest. Commonly known as Kaki or Japanese persimmon, this cultivar produces the popular, firm, non-astringent fruit often found in grocery stores, making it an excellent addition to large landscapes. Its rounded, spreading crown and striking fall foliage of gold and red offer significant ornamental appeal through multiple seasons.
This tree thrives in full sun and requires a medium amount of water, fitting well into landscapes where low maintenance is a priority. Growing between 20 and 30 feet tall, the Kaki is a stately specimen tree. Its contribution extends into late fall when bright orange fruits contrast beautifully against bare winter branches, long after the leaves have dropped.
For gardeners in appropriate climates, incorporating Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ ensures beauty and utility, providing exceptional fall color followed by sweet, firm fruit. It is a durable choice, native to Asia, yet perfectly suited for cultivation across southern North America.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ebenaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 20-30 ft
- Spread: 20-30 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Creamy white (female)Pink (male)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting your Kaki should ideally occur in late winter or early spring before the tree breaks dormancy. Select a location that receives full sun exposure throughout the day, which is crucial for good fruit production. This tree performs best when planted in deep, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained loams, though it tolerates a somewhat wider soil range. Ensure adequate space, as mature specimens can reach 30 feet in height and spread.
Ongoing care for the Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ is relatively simple; it is considered drought tolerant once established. Maintain consistent moisture—a medium watering schedule—especially during fruit development in the summer heat. Pruning should generally be minimal, focusing only on removing crossing or damaged branches, as excessive pruning can reduce fruit yield.
Be aware that this variety can produce root suckers, especially if the root system is damaged. Promptly remove these suckers if you desire the tree to maintain a standard shape, unless you are aiming for a more naturalized, spreading grouping. While winter hardy to Zone 7, performance is generally best observed in the warmer end of its range, Zones 8 through 10.
Landscape Uses
The Kaki serves as an excellent ornamental landscape tree suitable for large yards or mixed borders. Given its substantial size, it works well as a focal point or specimen plant where its spreading crown can be appreciated. Additionally, the structure of the Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ allows for specialized training; it can be pruned into a hedge or screen, or carefully espaliered against a suitable wall or fence for formal garden designs.
When utilizing the fruit-bearing trees, thoughtfully choose a location away from heavy foot or vehicular traffic, as fallen ripe fruit can create a slick mess beneath the canopy, despite its attractiveness. When designing plantings around them, consider neighboring plants that also prefer well-drained but consistently moist soils and full sun conditions.
Since the fruit persists into winter, planting the Fuyu near a patio or window ensures enjoyment of the ornamental fruit display during the colder months. Its excellent fall leaf color also makes it a superb anchor in transitional planting schemes that emphasize seasonal change.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Diospyros kaki, commonly called Kaki, Japanese persimmon or Oriental persimmon, is a deciduous tree with a rounded spreading crown that typically grows to 20-30’ tall. This tree is noted not only for its edible fruits but also for its excellent ornamental features, as oval leaves turn gold to red in the fall. ‘Fuyu’ is by reputation the most popular non-astringent variety, producing medium to large, sweet fruit that persists on the tree after leaf drop and often into winter. Edible persimmon fruits mature to bright orange in late fall and can be eaten while firm, unlike astringent varieties.
Tolerances
- Drought tolerant
Potential Problems
The Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ generally boasts a clean bill of health regarding pests and diseases. Home gardeners rarely need to intervene for insect control, although scale and mealybugs can occasionally pose minor problems in commercial settings. The primary management issue is often not biological, but physical: falling fruit can create litter problems, necessitating planting location considerations. Leaf spot diseases occasionally surface but are typically cosmetic and do not severely impact the health of the Kaki tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kaki suitable for?
This Kaki variety is winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10, though it performs optimally when grown in Zones 8-10.
How large does Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ grow?
This Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ tree typically reaches a height between 20 and 30 feet, with a corresponding spread of 20 to 30 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Kaki need?
The ideal requirement for successful growth and fruiting of Kaki is full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ bloom?
This tree produces its flowers from May to June, with female flowers being creamy white and male flowers showing pink tones.
Conclusion
The Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ offers gardeners a low-maintenance ornamental tree that delivers fantastic seasonal interest through colorful foliage and persistent, sweet, non-astringent fruit. Whether valued for its beauty or its harvest, this Japanese persimmon is a rewarding addition to moderate to warm climates. Ensure your site meets its full sun and well-drained soil requirements before planting your Kaki.
Companion Planting
When selecting plants to grow near your Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’, focus on species that share similar needs for deep, well-drained soil and full sun. Low-growing, drought-tolerant perennials or groundcovers work well beneath the canopy, provided they do not compete aggressively for surface moisture. Avoid planting shallow-rooted shrubs directly under the drip line, as the persimmon prefers consistency and competition can stress the tree.
Consider pairing with plants that offer contrasting texture during the summer, such as ferns placed slightly outside the dripline if the soil remains consistently moist, or ornamental grasses that appreciate high light levels. Since the Kaki is a deciduous fruit tree, choose understory partners whose aesthetic quality remains high even when the tree drops its leaves in late fall.
Design Ideas
The spreading crown of the Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ makes it inherently suited for use as a large specimen tree in open lawns or park settings. In suburban gardens, it can serve as a striking vertical element that softens hardscaping elements like retaining walls or large patios. Its robust structure also lends itself well to layered planting schemes where evergreen background shrubs provide contrast to the bright orange fruit in autumn.
For a more formal look, the robust branches of the Kaki respond well to shaping, allowing for hedges or screens if pruned annually. If space is extremely limited, training the tree as an espalier against a south or west-facing fence maximizes fruit production while minimizing the footprint, a technique well-suited to this adaptable cultivar.
