CHAPOTE Texas Persimmon
Diospyros texana Ebenaceae, Ebony Family
DESCRIPTION:
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Small tree, intricately branched; bark peels from maturing trunks.
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Height: 10-15 feet; can reach 30 feet.
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Flowers: Small, white; solitary or in few
flower cluster.
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Fruit: 1-inch black edible fruit on female
trees.
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Foliage: Almost evergreen.
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Bark: Light reddish-gray; outer bark peels, baring lighter gray, smooth
inner bark.
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Growth rate: Slow.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Sun: Full sun to full shade.
Soil: Any.
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Drainage: Good to moderate.
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Water: Well-drained, low once established;
drought tolerant.
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Maintenance: Avoid damage to thin bark; avoid
female trees if one does not want fruit; disease tolerant; prune lower branches to show attractive trunk.
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Propagation: Fresh seed.
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NATIVE HABITAT: Many.
WILDLIFE USE:
Coyotes, javalinas, deer and birds utilize fruit; cover, nest sites;
leaves browsed by deer and goats.
COMMENTS:
"Fruit of the gods;" wood nearly black, durable; used for fine
furniture; fruit used to dye hides. The beauty of this small accent tree lies in the smooth
sinewy trunk; very durable, can bounce back quickly from rough ill treatment.
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