Persimmon Trees

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Cold Hardy Persimmon Trees for Deer and Wildlife

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can persimmon trees grow north of their native southern range?” The answer is a resounding yes—provided you plant the right varieties. At Blue Hill Wildlife Nursery, we specialize in cold hardy American persimmon trees that have proven themselves in northern climates. Rather than relying on southern genetics, our carefully selected grafted persimmon trees have demonstrated exceptional cold tolerance, dependable fruit production, and outstanding wildlife value.

Our Full Draw™ and Deer Luscious™ persimmon trees are excellent examples of what northern-grown persimmons can achieve. Full Draw™ is a late-dropping variety that begins producing ripe fruit in September and continues dropping well into winter. As a result, it provides an excellent late-season food source for whitetail deer when many other fruit trees have finished producing. In addition, Full Draw™ is one of the last persimmon trees to break dormancy each spring, helping it avoid damaging late frosts that can reduce fruit production. Its exceptional hardiness has been proven through real-world conditions, including surviving temperatures as low as -31°F during the historic 1994 polar vortex.

Deer Luscious™ is one of our earliest-bearing and most dependable persimmon trees for deer. This variety begins dropping large, sweet, fully ripe fruit in mid-September and continues producing into mid-December. Even more impressive, the original Deer Luscious™ tree has grown for well over a century in north-central Pennsylvania, where it has repeatedly endured winter temperatures between -20°F and -30°F while continuing to produce abundant crops year after year. That proven history gives northern landowners confidence that they are planting genetics capable of thriving in challenging conditions.

Another common misconception is that persimmons require a frost before they become edible. Fortunately, that simply isn’t true. Our selected varieties naturally ripen on the tree before dropping, producing sweet, fully orange fruit without requiring freezing temperatures. This characteristic is especially important in northern climates because deer, like people, strongly prefer fully ripe, non-astringent fruit. Consequently, trees that consistently drop ripe persimmons provide a much more dependable and attractive food source throughout the hunting season.

In addition to their exceptional fruit quality, American persimmon trees are among the easiest fruit trees for wildlife to grow. They experience very little insect pressure, have excellent natural disease resistance, and rarely require spraying. As a result, persimmons are one of the most low-maintenance fruit trees for deer, making them an excellent choice for both experienced habitat managers and first-time landowners. Their dependable production, outstanding cold hardiness, and minimal maintenance requirements make them a valuable addition to any wildlife orchard.

Whether you’re planting a new hunting property, expanding an established wildlife orchard, or simply looking for one of the most reliable fruit trees available, our grafted persimmon trees deliver proven performance. With carefully selected varieties offering different fruit drop windows, you can provide a dependable food source from early fall well into winter. Most importantly, these sweet, fully ripe persimmons are consistently relished by whitetail deer, helping attract and hold wildlife when it matters most.