Here is what I found in my tree book. I hope it helps.
Common Persimmon- This tree is primarily a southern species but does occur as far north as southern New York and Connecticut. It is commonly seen growing along roadsides, fence rows, edges of fields, and on rocky hillsides. The best growth and largest persimmon trees are found in the Mississippi River Valley in rich bottomlands. The trees do not occur along the main range of the Appalachian Mountains. They grow in disturbed areas and in deciduous woodlands along with sycamore, red maple, sugar maple, cedar elm, yellow poplar, and several of the oaks and hickories.
These are slow-growing trees that produce small, but attractive bell-shaped flowers in spring. The large fleshy fruits mature by the end of the growing season. Persimmon fruits are a valuable food source to wildlife including whitetail deer, raccoons, foxes, skunks, many birds, and small rodents. People gather and eat the fruits after the skin has wrinkled and the pulp has become mushy, usually after the first frost. Otherwise, the fruit is so bitter that it causes a person's lips to pucker.
The dark-brown wood is very strong, very hard, and heavy. But it is not used commercially because it yields and inferior grade of lumber.
We have the book "Hell, I Was There" by Elmer Keith but I haven't read it just. I have a feel that I will enjoy this book.
