This tree is growing at the edge of a mixed hardwood forest in upstate SC. I feel that I should know this one but I’m not sure.
Thanks for the help!
Hi Joel,
this is a persimmon – a favorite fruit of people, raccoons and opossums. The fruit has to be ripe though, when they are soft and orange, usually after a frost, but then they are really good! Don’t try them before they are ripe… The scientific name is Diospyros virginiana – a welcome tree in the mostly tropical ebony family.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven R. Hill, Botanist, SCNPS