what can I do with persimmons?

Thekla McDaniels wrote:I have enjoyed reading this thread. It reminds me that I could look into planting persimmon tree here.

 I live at 7000 feet. We have alkaline soil and a very cold winter with the ground usually freezing. Can anyone tell me which would be more likely to tolerate my climate? The Asian or the American persimmon?
Thanks

The American persimmon is usually grown in places that are too cold for the Asian persimmon.   I believe that there is a variety called Meader that grows in New Hampshire.  It is also a brittle variety, so be careful with it.

John S
PDX OR

Thekla McDaniels wrote:I have enjoyed reading this thread. It reminds me that I could look into planting persimmon tree here.

I grew up with American persimmons. The ones I am familiar with did require frost to lose their astringency, even when fully ripe.  We learned we could get around that by putting them in the freezer. I think there must be a lot of variation in American persimmons because they are a native tree. Probably some lose their astringency naturally and some weight for the chill.

I was astonished the first time I heard of the Asian persimmons. I never saw one get squishy and soft. I loved it that you could eat them like an apple and they were not astringent, and they dried so easily.  

I live at 7000 feet. We have alkaline soil and a very cold winter with the ground usually freezing. Can anyone tell me which would be more likely to tolerate my climate? The Asian or the American persimmon?
Thanks

American, for sure.  But some of the American/Asian hybrids might also work for you.  They are generally intended to combine the tree and fruit characteristics of Asian varieties with the cold-hardiness of American varieties.