Hachiya is the most common persimmon grown in America and for good reason! This is an astringent type which means that it needs to be fully soft, with the texture of a water balloon before eating, unless you dry it when it is nearly ripe. When ripe, the flesh is soft and jelly-like, with classic yummy persimmon flavor. Used fresh, in pies, cookies, cake, pudding, salsa, pan fried, or dried. This is the variety that is used for the famous Hoshigaki dried persimmon. To speed ripening, freeze solid and then thaw. Very pest and disease resistant and drought tolerant once established. The tree is self-fertile and does not require a pollenizer. Slow growing tree, may reach 35' tall and wide and produce up to 200 pounds of delectable fruit. Ripens in October and November. Stores for a couple of weeks. These trees are in short supple, but we hope to be doing many more persimmons next year!

The grandmother tree grows on private property in Nevada City, CA, once home of Felix Gillet's Barren Hill Nursery. Nevada City, the Queen of the Northern Mines, was the largest and most active town in the Sierra during the Gold Rush. It was the capital of the territory of Nevada prior to California's statehood. Many, many famous people who contributed to major changes of our society were once residence of this still well-known town. We are attempting to establish a formal holiday, recognizing Felix for his contributions to the beauty and productivity of Nevada City.

FYI: Persimmons are slow growing and difficult to propagate that is why they are more expensive than our other fruit trees.