Persimmon 'Meader' is a self-fertile American persimmon cultivar that grows into a substantial tree 20, 30 feet tall, thriving in hardiness zones 4, 9. This distinctive deciduous tree produces showy, edible fruit and is remarkably tough, tolerant of drought, clay soil, shallow rocky ground, and even urban conditions. Native across eastern North America from Connecticut to Texas, 'Meader' is one of the easiest trees to identify in winter thanks to its thick, dark gray bark broken into distinctive rectangular blocks. It blooms modestly in May and June, then rewards patient growers with fruit that attracts birds and adds visual drama to the landscape.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-9
360in H x 240in W
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Moderate
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What sets 'Meader' apart is its self-fertility, unlike most female persimmon trees, you don't need a separate male pollinator to get fruit. It's remarkably low-maintenance and adaptable, thriving in poor soils where other ornamental trees struggle, making it ideal for naturalized settings and rain gardens. The combination of ecological value (birds flock to the fruit), landscape presence (that sculptural dark bark and rounded crown), and genuine hardiness down to zone 4 makes this a tree that earns its space year after year.
The primary appeal of this tree is its landscape presence and its role as food for wildlife. The showy, edible fruit can be harvested and eaten fresh, though the tree's greatest cultural value lies in its use as a naturalized specimen in open woodlands, prairies, and abandoned fields, contexts where it historically thrived across eastern North America. It's equally at home in rain gardens and urban yards where its drought tolerance and low maintenance make it invaluable.
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Transplant in spring or fall when the tree is dormant. Space plants 24 inches apart, though the final mature spread will reach 15–20 feet, so allow for full-size development in your layout. Ensure soil is well-drained; amend clay or compacted soils with organic matter if available, though 'Meader' will tolerate these conditions without amendment.
Harvest fruit when fully ripe and showy on the tree, typically 75 days after flowering. Ripe persimmons will feel soft to gentle pressure and may drop naturally from branches, making them easy to collect from the ground. Pick fruit directly from branches once fully colored and yielding slightly to touch, indicating peak ripeness.
Prune to remove root suckers unless you desire a naturalized, multi-stemmed effect. Beyond sucker removal, 'Meader' requires minimal pruning; allow its natural rounded oval crown to develop. Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter while dormant.
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