Persimmon
Scientific name: Diospyros kaki
Overview
Persimmon is a dense hardwood species within the Diospyros genus, making it closely related to true ebony. Unlike ebony, however, persimmon wood is typically light in color, with only occasional darker streaking.
It is known for its hardness, fine texture, and excellent wear resistance, historically making it a preferred material for specialty applications requiring durability and impact resistance.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Persimmon
- Scientific Name: Diospyros kaki
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 30–60 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: ~50–60 lbs/ft³
- Janka Hardness: ~2,300 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow to light brown, occasionally with darker streaks
- Grain: Straight to slightly irregular
- Texture: Fine
Identification Characteristics
Persimmon is typically pale yellow to light brown, sometimes with subtle darker streaks. The grain is usually straight but can occasionally be irregular, and the texture is fine, giving the wood a smooth and refined appearance. It lacks the deep black coloration associated with ebony but shares similar density and structure.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale yellow to light brown color
- Occasional darker streaking
- Fine texture
- Dense and heavy feel
- Smooth, uniform surface
Working Properties
Persimmon is hard and dense, which influences how it performs during machining.
- Machines with difficulty due to high density
- Blunts cutting edges relatively quickly
- Can be challenging to work with hand tools
- Gluing and finishing are generally good
- Excellent wear resistance
Safety Note
No major toxicity is commonly reported, though fine dust should be avoided as with all hardwoods.
Common Uses
Persimmon is used in applications where hardness and wear resistance are important.
- Tool handles
- Golf club heads (historically)
- Turned objects
- Specialty woodworking
- Flooring (limited use)
Sustainability & Notes
Persimmon is not widely available in large commercial quantities compared to other hardwoods. It is typically harvested on a smaller scale, which limits its presence in mainstream lumber markets.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Ebony – Same genus, but ebony is much darker and often more brittle.
Toona – Much lighter and easier to work, while persimmon is significantly harder and denser.
American Persimmon – American Persimmon belongs to the same genus as ebony and is valued for its exceptional hardness and strength.
Related Guides
Wood Strength and Hardness Guide
Shows where persimmon ranks among harder woods.
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Helpful due to its subtle appearance and fine texture.
Drying and Acclimating Exotic Woods
Important due to its density and movement characteristics.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Persimmon is a critical species for understanding the Diospyros genus, as it demonstrates how wood within the same family can vary dramatically in appearance while maintaining similar structural properties. It serves as a useful comparison point to ebony and highlights the diversity within tropical hardwood classifications.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Small Woodworking Projects (Best of Fine Woodworking) for building boxes, stools, shop accessories, and other practical weekend woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4vA2kk3
• 80-Piece Threaded Insert Nuts and Furniture Screw Set for creating strong, reusable threaded connections in woodworking, furniture building, and shop projects
https://amzn.to/3SmACIO
• Power Tool Organizer with Charging Station for organizing cordless drills, batteries, chargers, and other power tools while keeping your workshop neat and efficient
https://amzn.to/4oU2XST
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