Persimmons!

Years ago, when I first moved in with Mr. Hollywood, I planted a persimmon tree. Emboldened by the success of Edible Landscaping‘s on-site trees, and seduced by the inimitable flavor of the fruit, which happened to be in season when I visited there, I planted a fuyu variety – sweet even when firm.

The Persimmon Tree

The years went by, and the tree grew. It put out lush green leaves, grew taller and wider. But there was no fruit. Each spring I’d scour the branches in vain, looking for the pale green flowers that could mature to those gorgeous orange orbs. Nothing.

After five years, I accepted that the tree was a rare, sterile specimen. But so healthy! That spring, I stared at the trunk, wondering if I could dare,… and actually accomplish a grafting. I looked up, then looked again, harder. There, on one branch – oh, and another!, another! – was the pale green star of a flower.

The Persimmon Fruit

Each of those first flowers developed into a fruit. And each dropped off well before maturity. But now I knew, the tree wasn’t sterile, just a late bloomer.

Last fall was a banner year of harvest, and even Mr. Hollywood, notoriously “careful” about eating things out his ordinary, relished them.

This year the yield has been far smaller – only half a dozen or so matured enough to eat. But it was a weird, wet year for growing things here. I can hope that the next will be better again. Meanwhile,

Haiku

Morning persimmons

sit heavy in the bowl.

How can I lift them?