Gardening : Overwatering Causes Fruit Drop

QUESTION: Why does my 40-year-old persimmon tree always drop about 95% of its fruit before they are ripe? The tree has always been fed and watered well.

ANSWER: While it is natural for a persimmon tree to drop some of its fruit, it is certainly not normal for it to drop 95%. You mention that it is fed and watered well. It is probably watered too well. A mature persimmon tree does not need as much water as most other fruit trees; too much water will encourage fruit drop. Unless your soil is light, try doing a very deep watering once a month. Questions should be sent to “Garden Q&A;” in care of the Real Estate section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Questions cannot be answered individually.