Kaki trees are originally from Asia. Since it is usually not as cold there in winter as it is here, persimmon trees need some protection in winter.
The persimmon tree (Diospyros kaki) is only partially hardy in Germany. Young trees in particular need reliable frost protection. The good news: Older specimens cope much better with low temperatures. In the following we would like to explain to you how you can get young plants, potted plants and outdoor persimmon trees through the winter.
How to overwinter persimmon trees correctly
» Overwinter young plants in a sheltered space:
Cultivate your persimmon tree in a container for at least the third year. As young plants, persimmon trees do not tolerate frost and are therefore not allowed to overwinter outside. Move the tubs to a sheltered area once temperatures drop to freezing at night. Persimmon trees shed their leaves in winter and therefore hardly need any light. A dark location in the basement or in the garage is well suited. The temperature in the winter quarters should be around 5 °C.
As soon as there are no longer any night frosts to be expected in spring, bring the saplings back onto the terrace or into the garden. In the event of an unexpected cold snap, you need to react quickly to protect the leaves and buds. Then a short stay in the winter quarters is necessary again.
» Hibernate potted plants in the garden:
From the fourth year it is possible to overwinter the persimmon tree outside as a container plant. Choose a sheltered location, for example directly on the wall of the house. Heated buildings emit some heat outside in the winter, so the temperatures immediately in front of or behind your house are slightly warmer than those further away in the garden.
As soon as the weather forecast announces the first night frost, place the bucket on a polystyrene plate several centimeters thick. The plate prevents ground frost from rising into the rootstock from below. Additionally, wrap the trunk and branches of the tree with mats made from natural fibers such as coconut or jute.
» Overwinter persimmons outdoors:
If you are in an area with rather mild winterslive, it is also possible to plant the persimmon tree and overwinter outdoors. In late autumn, cover the tree pit with bark mulch and spread a second layer of pine twigs over it. Protect the branches and the trunk like the potted plants with fiber mats made of jute or coconut.
But nowhere in Germany is planting the persimmon tree completely risk-free. Basically, the older the trees are and the more winters they have survived as a container plant in the garden, the more resistant they are to cold.