Meader Persimmon

Meader is a northern-bred American persimmon that joins cold hardiness with the practical ability to fruit without a separate pollinator. Its deep-orange fruit reaches about 2 inches, and the grafted cultivar gives growers a known selection instead of the variable outcome of a seedling. It works well where winter cold rules out many Asian persimmons but a full-sized native fruit tree still fits.

The cultivar was bred by Elwyn Meader at the University of New Hampshire. NC State Extension describes the breeding goal as a self-pollinating common persimmon, while the wider New Hampshire program emphasized early maturity and winter hardiness. That background remains central to Meader’s value: a self-fertile Diospyros virginiana suited to USDA zones 4-9 and modest winter chilling.

Meader grows in USDA zones 4-9 and needs 100-200 chill hours. Give it full sun for maximum flowering and fruit quality, although the database allows partial shade. Soil pH 6.0-6.5 is the recorded target. A deep, moist but well-drained site supports establishment; once rooted, American persimmon tolerates drier periods better than newly planted trees do. Avoid low ground where roots remain saturated after rain.

Growth is recorded as slow, so weed control and steady early care matter more than heavy fertilizer. Mulch a broad circle without touching the trunk, water deeply during dry spells, and protect the graft and lower trunk from equipment and browsing. Prune young branches into a strong framework, then limit mature pruning to dead, rubbing, or poorly placed wood. Because persimmon develops a substantial taproot, choose a permanent site rather than planning to transplant later.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Chill Hours: 100-200
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5

Meader forms a deciduous American persimmon tree with dark green summer foliage and a sturdy branching framework. Its slow growth rate asks for patience, but it also makes the tree easier to train carefully while young. Fall color can range through yellow and red before the leaves drop, leaving deep-orange fruit visible on the branches. The tree has no thorns, and its dense wood and native-tree character suit an edible landscape or mixed orchard.

A grafted Meader preserves the cultivar's self-fertility and fruit traits. Remove any shoot that arises below the graft because it belongs to the rootstock. Mature dimensions are not recorded in the database, so provide the space of a full-sized persimmon rather than a dwarf tree. Young trunks benefit from deer and rodent guards, while ripe fruit will draw deer, birds, raccoons, and opossums into the planting.

Growth Rate: Slow

Meader is recorded as self-fertile and was bred to produce fruit without a separate pollinator tree. NC State Extension notes that unpollinated flowers can develop seedless fruit, while pollinated fruit contains seeds. For a small property, that means one Meader can carry a crop; for growers who prefer seedless fruit, isolating it from pollen-producing American persimmons may reduce seed development.

Its flowering can include bisexual bloom or both male and female flowers, which explains the self-fertile behavior recorded in the database. Bees still help move pollen within the canopy, so avoid broad-spectrum insect treatments while the small spring flowers are open. Cold, rain, or wind during bloom can affect set even on a self-fertile tree.

Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pollination Mechanism: Has bi-sexual bloom (both stamen and pistil) or produces both male and female flowers; fruit is never seedless

Meader produces fruit around 2 inches that turns deep orange when ripe. As an American persimmon, it is best allowed to soften fully before eating so the soluble tannins responsible for astringency have dissipated. Unpollinated fruit may be seedless; fruit exposed to compatible pollen can contain seeds. Collect fully colored fruit as it softens or drops, and sort out damaged fruit promptly before wildlife or decay claims it.

The ripe pulp can be eaten fresh or pressed through a food mill for pudding, breads, cookies, cakes, custard, preserves, and frozen desserts. Frozen pulp stores the harvest without changing the basic preparation method. Astringent fruit picked fully colored but firm can finish ripening at room temperature. Do not judge readiness by orange color alone: soft texture is the more reliable signal for a pleasant American persimmon eating experience.

Fruit Size: 2 inch
Fruit Color: Deep orange when ripe

Meader is recorded as very susceptible to persimmon wilt, moderately susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker and dieback, and susceptible to persimmon borer. Prevent wounds to roots and trunks, prune dead or cankered branches during dry weather, remove declining wood from the planting, and disinfect tools between suspect cuts. Inspect the lower trunk for frass, loose bark, or dieback that can signal borer activity, and protect it from mower and string-trimmer injury.

Cercospora leaf spot can cause early defoliation and poor fruit ripening, while anthracnose, persimmon psyllid, white peach scale, and twig girdler are also listed concerns without cultivar-specific ratings. Rake infected leaves, irrigate below the foliage, thin crowded growth, and remove girdled twigs. Encourage lacewings and lady beetles that feed on soft-bodied pests. When intervention is needed, use properly timed horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or another labeled organic option rather than a routine synthetic spray program.

Persimmon Wilt: Very Susceptible
Botryosphaeria Canker and Dieback: Moderately Susceptible
Persimmon Borer: Susceptible

• Prevent wilt entry: Protect Meader's roots and trunk from wounds and remove severely declining wood promptly.
• Prune cankers in dry weather: Cut Botryosphaeria-damaged branches back to sound tissue and sanitize tools.
• Inspect for borers: Check the lower trunk for frass or loose bark and remove infested tissue where practical.
• Manage seediness: Meader can fruit alone; nearby American persimmon pollen may produce seeds in the fruit.

Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:

1. Your location falls within the appropriate USDA hardiness zone for the plant variety (refer to our hardiness zone map).
2. You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.

If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital