Help: are these really persimmons?
 

I bought a persimmon tree years ago as an ornamental, (I'm in BC,
Canada, near the 49th paralel, so its fruit would not ripen here).

The tree produces a heavy crop each year, but my "persimmons" don't
look much like the ones I occasionally see in stores. Here is a link
to a high-res photo: http://www.oldstox.com/images/persimmons.jpg

The fruit are pear-shaped, heavy and firm, and have a downy fuzz over
a yellow skin. Are they indeed a variety of persimmon? Thanks for any
help.

are these really persimmons?
 

"brafield" wrote in message
...
I bought a persimmon tree years ago as an ornamental, (I'm in BC,
Canada, near the 49th paralel, so its fruit would not ripen here).

The tree produces a heavy crop each year, but my "persimmons" don't
look much like the ones I occasionally see in stores. Here is a link
to a high-res photo: http://www.oldstox.com/images/persimmons.jpg

The fruit are pear-shaped, heavy and firm, and have a downy fuzz over
a yellow skin. Are they indeed a variety of persimmon? Thanks for any
help.

They look more like quinces. do they have a strong scent (uncut - just from
the fruit sitting on the bench)? If they do, then I'd say that they're
quinces. BTW, coul dyou use a lower resolution if you have to ask a
question in the future and post a pic? It took so long to download on my
steam operated, dial up line computer that I nearly didn't bother.

are these really persimmons?
 

On Nov 15, 6:50*pm, "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote:
"brafield" wrote in message

I bought a persimmon tree years ago as an ornamental, (I'm in BC,
Canada, near the 49th paralel, so its fruit would not ripen here).

The tree produces a heavy crop each year,

They look more like quinces. *do they have a strong scent (uncut - just from
the fruit sitting on the bench)? *If they do, then I'd say that they're
quinces.

True, but, the quince that I am familiar with is a shrub, not a tree.
usually lurking,
Linda H.
USA zone 5b

are these really persimmons?
 

brafield wrote:
I bought a persimmon tree years ago as an ornamental, (I'm in BC,
Canada, near the 49th paralel, so its fruit would not ripen here).

The tree produces a heavy crop each year, but my "persimmons" don't
look much like the ones I occasionally see in stores. Here is a link
to a high-res photo: http://www.oldstox.com/images/persimmons.jpg

The fruit are pear-shaped, heavy and firm, and have a downy fuzz over
a yellow skin. Are they indeed a variety of persimmon? Thanks for any
help.

Those are quinces not a persimmons. They are hard and close to inedible
when raw but excellent when cooked . When they are full yellow or the leaves
start to fall (whichever comes first) pick them, peel, core, slice and stew
with sugar and a little water. The flesh will turn from off white to pink
and they will become aromatic. Serve with a splash of cream or icecream.
There are many more elaborate recipes for quince deserts mainly from the
middle east. If you don't like them email them to me.

The quince is one of my favourite fruit trees. It is a handsome and hardy
tree that grows in a wide range of climates and needs little attention. In
spring the flowers are quite pretty, fairly large and more durable than
many. In summer the leaves cloak the tree most attractively. In autumn the
fruit are divine.

Every garden needs a quince tree.

David

are these really persimmons?
 

Thank you for your help, everyone. Yes, everything points to quinces,
and I have double checked on Google for pics; though how I came to
buy the tree as a 'persimmon' I'll never know!

I'm glad to know the fruit is edible if cooked, because the only time
I bit one I hated it --- oddly the flowers don't have a particularly
nice aroma either.

Too late for this year --- yesterday I had to strip the tree and throw
away the fuit because my annual visitor, a very fat black bear, spent
the night in my garden causing havoc and pooping prolifically. Last
year he ripped off one big branch.

Thanks again.

are these really persimmons?
 

brafield wrote:
Thank you for your help, everyone. Yes, everything points to quinces,
and I have double checked on Google for pics; though how I came to
buy the tree as a 'persimmon' I'll never know!

I'm glad to know the fruit is edible if cooked, because the only time
I bit one I hated it ---

I don't know anybody who eats them raw.

oddly the flowers don't have a particularly
nice aroma either.


The smell of the tree and the fruit is more debateable. Mine don't seem to
have much smell at all yet some say it is very strong.

Too late for this year --- yesterday I had to strip the tree and throw
away the fuit because my annual visitor, a very fat black bear, spent
the night in my garden causing havoc and pooping prolifically. Last
year he ripped off one big branch.

Thanks again.

At least rabbits and kangaroos don't climb trees. I do have to net mine to
keep off the bats, parrots, bower birds and possums.

David

are these really persimmons?
 

"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
...
brafield wrote:
I bought a persimmon tree years ago as an ornamental, (I'm in BC,
Canada, near the 49th paralel, so its fruit would not ripen here).

The tree produces a heavy crop each year, but my "persimmons" don't
look much like the ones I occasionally see in stores. Here is a link
to a high-res photo: http://www.oldstox.com/images/persimmons.jpg

The fruit are pear-shaped, heavy and firm, and have a downy fuzz over
a yellow skin. Are they indeed a variety of persimmon? Thanks for any
help.

Those are quinces not a persimmons. They are hard and close to inedible
when raw but excellent when cooked . When they are full yellow or the
leaves start to fall (whichever comes first) pick them, peel, core, slice
and stew with sugar and a little water. The flesh will turn from off
white to pink and they will become aromatic. Serve with a splash of
cream or icecream. There are many more elaborate recipes for quince
deserts mainly from the middle east. If you don't like them email them to
me.

The quince is one of my favourite fruit trees. It is a handsome and hardy
tree that grows in a wide range of climates and needs little attention.
In spring the flowers are quite pretty, fairly large and more durable than
many. In summer the leaves cloak the tree most attractively. In autumn
the fruit are divine.

Every garden needs a quince tree.

Amen to that. Magnificent things are quinces.

are these really persimmons?
 

"brafield" wrote in message
...

Thank you for your help, everyone. Yes, everything points to quinces,
and I have double checked on Google for pics; though how I came to
buy the tree as a 'persimmon' I'll never know!

I'm glad to know the fruit is edible if cooked, because the only time
I bit one I hated it --- oddly the flowers don't have a particularly
nice aroma either.

Too late for this year --- yesterday I had to strip the tree and throw
away the fuit because my annual visitor, a very fat black bear, spent
the night in my garden causing havoc and pooping prolifically. Last
year he ripped off one big branch.

The fruit will last for weeks before cooking so there was probably no need
to just throw it out.