Harvesting Persimmon Trees
Are you ready to enjoy delicious homegrown fruit? Harvest is the time to enjoy the results of your hard work. Keep a few things in consideration as you reap the fruits of your labor: the best time to pick the fruit from your tree, and how to store the fruit.
NOTE: This is part 9 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow persimmon trees, we recommend starting from the beginning.
When to Harvest
You can begin harvesting in September through late November. Some experts say that the fruit will fully ripen after the first frost of the season. Fruit color will vary from light yellow-orange to dark orange-red. When harvesting persimmons, it is best to use a shallow tray especially if your fruit is very soft. The fruit cannot handle a lot of weight and you may end up crushing the ones on the bottom.
Astringent varieties must be very soft before they are fit to eat. You can allow them to soften on the tree but it is best to harvest when hard and fully colored. This will keep away the birds, deer and other animals that get into trees.
Non-Astringent varieties can be eaten when still crisp and should be harvested when they have their full deep color and are firm. They will continue to ripen off the tree and allowing them to soften at room temperatures will help with the taste.
Annual average yield per tree is 1 bushel, 15-20 pounds at age 10.
Storage
Persimmons will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.
