Diospyros kaki 'Early Fuyu' ('Matsumoto Wase Fuyu')

Early Fuyu Japanese Persimmon tree offers excellent ornamental features, and produces non-astringent, bright orange fruits. This early ripening variety is known as ‘Matsumoto Wase Fuyu’ (Matsumoto Persimmon) in Japan. Diospyros kaki 'Early Fuyu' fruits are medium to large, reaching 3 to 4 inches in diameter. They will ripen in October and can be harvested when the fruit rind reaches deep orange. Fruits can be eaten firm like an apple or when soft and tender like a ripe tomato. Kaki Persimmons are rich in vitamins, low in calories, and loaded with fibre.

Matsumoto Persimmons are one of the most widely planted fruit trees in the world, and are not only used as a fruit tree but also a specimen tree in landscapes. It produces oval-shaped, 6 inch long, light green leaves in spring that turn to dark green in summer, and display showy yellowish-red fall colour. The hanging orange fruits will make the tree very attractive after leaf drop. The fruits may persist on the persimmon tree into winter. (Flowers of Early Fuyu Kaki Persimmons are produced in late spring, are unattractive, and mostly go unnoticed.)

This Japanese Persimmon tree begins bearing 2 to 3 years after planting. It grows well in fertile, well-drained, moist soil and prefers full sun. A mature Early Fuyu Kaki Persimmon tree can grow up to a maximum of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 metres) tall, and can be maintained at a height of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 metres) through regular pruning. It is self-fertile, and sets fruits without pollination. Japanese persimmons are easy to grow and do not have any serious pests or disease issues. This variety grows well in areas with cool summer climates. Early Fuyu Kaki Persimmon is hardy to USDA zone 7a, and it is drought tolerant once established.