Diospyros virginiana
Common Persimmon, Possumwood

Mature Height: 30-130'     Longevity: 125 years

2-7 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

6-9 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
2: Reported to be present in very dry sterile locations. Not a dry soil specialist so not assigned a 1 (also limited remarks that drought tolerance is high).

7: Not frequently mentioned as being present along streambanks or other areas that are occasionally flooded. Flood tolerance identified as none-low but mentioned as present in bottomlands.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Solid Z6. (SOUTH) Solid Z9, presence in all of Florida.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: Same as NAS, except small community identified in Z5 in plains states.

5   Sun Strength

8   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
3.7 = Slow to Moderate
+.3 = Pioneer Capable
+.4 = 3 Major, 1 Minor
+.2 = Moderate
0 = No
-.1 = 50'
+.1 = 130'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
7.5 = Tolerant-Very Tolerant
+.3 = Climax capable
+.4 = 3 Major, 1 Minor
+.2 = Moderate
0 = No
-.1 = 50'
-.3 = 125 years

TOTAL SCORE (4.6): Wide range of growth rates reported. Present in some pioneer communities & has ability to grow on several soil orders. Tree is borderline 4/5.

TOTAL SCORE (8.0): Most references identify as tolerant to very tolerant of shade & capable of establishing under canopy. Occurs in some climax communities. Occurrence in wide range of soils offsets short average height and lifespan.

3   Fire Strength

4   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: Low (Big Tree) = 3
Tree is generally not very tall with a short bole & can have moderately shallow roots. Fire Effects (FEIS) database indicates tree is usually top-killed by fire and chooses to respond by root sprouts after fire. Tree is a concensus low rating (not "none" rating) which prevents assignment of lowest big tree value. Also present in some communities dependent on fire (pine sandhills).
Final Value = 3

DEFENSE
Base Score: Resistant (Big Tree) = 3-4
The tree is of moderate size and generally has a taproot so windthrow does not appear to be an issue. The wood is very strong and tree typically not very tall so snapping and limb loss probably not an issue either. Due to lack of detailed data about windfirmness will not assign highest value, but overall tree seems to be well adapted to withstand wind loading.
Final Value = 4