INCREASING UTILITY OF NATIVE STANDS OF PERSIMMONS

My 2020 project was designed to test and demonstrate grafting of large diameter persimmon native seedlings (.5 to 4.0-inch diameter) and measure comparative success. A second objective is to provide a preliminary economic comparison of grafting native seedlings compared to purchased nursery trees.

For these larger persimmons (anything larger than .5 inch) seedlings I used a bark grafting approach. 

Photo 1

The system I personally utilized is a combination of the arrowhead technique taught by Dr. Bill Reid (retired) at Kansas State University and the method promoted by Oklahoma State Extension.

https://Northernpecans.blogsot.com

https://youtu.be/sqsZcubCnrk

Both systems were used and demonstrated primarily on pecans, so I made some minor adjustments to persimmons and their characteristic bark.

After completing my bark grafting this spring, I would make these general suggestions:

• Invest in a bark lifter or a grafting knife with a built-in bark lifter.
• A stool or chair will save your back some strain if you plan to work a lot of trees.
• Do some whittling practicing ahead of time to perfect your scion shaping as fitting to the cut rootstock is critical.
• It is important to use whatever methods/material you prefer (aluminum foil, plastic coverings, wax/bark healing compound) to protect the scion and rootstock from drying out after grafting. When you are using the bark approach with larger trees you will be exposing significant plant tissue to the elements.
• Tendonitis in your wrist could happen!

I grafted around 200 native persimmon large diameter seedlings this spring between May 5 and June 8. What else was I going to do during the COVID-19 pandemic? As of late June, about 85% of those grafts were successful (meaning at least one bud had developed a branch).

Photo 2

Photo 3

By December, the average had dropped to 77%.  The difference is due to wind damage and deer damage on healthy, successful grafted trees.

I took measurements and notes on scion growth and vigor by seedling size.  This table summarizes my findings.

Table 1

Variety details are in Table 2 (Ranch site only).

 Table 2

Below are additional photos of some of the successful 2020 grafted trees taken in September 2020.

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Photo 5

Here are some pictures of a few large diameter trees I grafted in 2018 and 2019 and how they looked this summer.

Photo 6

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Preliminary economic comparisons are below:

Table 3

This preliminary review would indicate that the starting costs per tree is significantly less when you graft existing trees on your property versus if you buy already grafted nursery trees.  And based on my experience, you will get to fruit production sooner.  However, this does not take into consideration the advantage of precise tree placement that you would get if you were freshly planting trees exactly where you wanted them (as in an orchard scenario).

At year end of 2020, here would be my conclusions from my project:

• Growers can successfully graft larger diameter persimmons (using a bark grafting technique) 
• These already established trees/roots systems will provide outstanding scion/branch growth and potentially quicker fruit production
• The highest success rate was on 1 to 3 inch seedlings
• Grafting already adapted native persimmons may have economic starting costs benefits vs. purchased grafted persimmons

This project has been very enjoyable on many fronts. Andy Thomas always told me that anyone can graft—and I proved it is true. Spending time outside in the spring and just being in the middle of Mother Nature (plants and animals) coming to life was a calming and reassuring way to endure the COVID chaos as the pandemic raged. And, I really believe there are many rural area landowners that could benefit from utilizing existing trees on their property. This work may give persimmon growing a little momentum going forward.

There have also been some side benefits to this project. This spring (to the chagrin of their grandmother) I taught two of my grandchildren to accurately spit persimmon seeds 6 feet or further! That way they can socially distance and still practice a new craft that does not require a handheld device.

Finally, I want to thank and acknowledge others who helped me design the project. These folks provided support, scions, and guidance: Dr. Howard Roberts, Jerry Lehman, Dr. Ramon Arancibia, Sara Jean Peters, Andy Thomas, Patrick Byers.