Hidden Fruit

Sometimes you find things in unexpected places.  I probably say that quite often in the things that I write in this blog.  Perhaps it is because I am always looking for the unexpected.

While piling up some brush the other day I realized there was a large American Persimmon Tree (Diospyros virginiana) In a somewhat untended area near an old shed on our property.  I noticed it because some webworms had become established in a part of it and I needed to discourage their spread to other trees.  As I began to examine the tree I noticed the fruit.

We had persimmons on a previous place that we owned and were familiar with them.  We have never eaten them but did receive a bottle of Persimmon Wine once as a gift.  The fruit is eaten by wildlife and also can be harvested for human consumption if well ripened.  The small fruit -- about 1 inch in diameter -- is extremely astringent when not fully ripened.  It usually ripens around first frost and will be similar in color to an apricot.

Persimmon trees produce a very dense, straight-grained wood which is fairly dark in color.  Commercially it is not typically utilized unless over 100 years old when the heartwood becomes an extremely dense ebony.  When younger, the sapwood is a creamy yellow while older wood near the heart is dark.

During the Civil War persimmon seeds were ground and used as a substitute for coffee.  The leaves were also sometimes dried and made into a tea.  In the Spring it is covered with beautiful white blossoms.  It is truly a useful tree.

We sometimes discover Persimmon Trees in other areas of life.  It may be the quiet employee who is always productive, or the volunteer in an organization that always manages to get things done.  We need to learn to appreciate them more.

In the photo below you will note a couple of the green fruit near the top.  The quality isn't great, but it was taken primarily for identification purposes.  Maybe this Fall I'll get some pictures of the ripe fruit.