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Pruning guide · Fruit tree
Japanese persimmon: when and how to prune
Diospyros kaki
Japanese persimmon is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese persimmon: when to prune it?
In February–March.
Japanese persimmon: how to prune it?
- Prune lightly: remove dead wood and crossing branches and keep the crown open.
- The fruits form on new shoots from one-year-old wood: so don’t cut away all the young branches.
- Shorten overlong, thin branches a little, so they can carry the crop.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
- Grows best when left alone. Only remove dead, diseased or awkward branches.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Pruning too much: it grows best when left alone.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Choose a warm, sheltered spot: young trees are sensitive to hard frost and late frosts.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese persimmon · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.