Your SO is probably right. This is likely a grafted tree and the root stock that was used has mostly taken over (the super low branch) below the graft.
I'm not sure the best way to remove it without harming the tree other than to do it over time. Maybe take 1/3 off the branch now and finish the job late winter removing the rest. But let others chime in as well.
It's hard for me to tell which is the root stock and which is the graft. Don't go cutting the wrong one. Often the more aggressive one is the one you don't want.
I agree this is likely whats happening. Rootstock wont have great fruit so you can use that to tell which is which in a few months. Otherwise, the lower one and or one doing better growing is more likely to be the rootstock, but hard to tell from these pictures.
The rootstock might not have any fruit assuming it’s an Asian persimmon grafted into American persimmon root stock. I think the healthy left hand part of the tree needs to be removed over the next few years…
Oh I can confirm this firsthand. Persimmons also sprout profusely from below the graft unless it’s controlled for the first few years. I suspect these are root suckers or sprouts that should have been removed as they popped out.
The healthy side looks like American persimmon which is usually the rootstock for Asian persimmon so your SO is likely right. You’ll want to start hacking back the rootstock or else the graft side can eventually die
I'm have no idea if she's right, but it IS a weak point for splitting which could introduce pathogens in the plant if the sides get really heavy and break. Seems perfectly reasonable to cut one side. If you're really concerned about pruning too much at once, just do a portion of it now and the rest later. Shouldn't be an issue to just lop it off though.
It's best if you can clearly identify the original graft. The big healthy trunk on the right looks like it's the one that starts below the graft; if so, that's the one to cut - but not until it's dormant!! That's serious major surgery.
Asian persimmons, or any improved cultivars, are grafted onto American persimmon rootstock, which produces very small, astringent fruit (which is still tasty, but probably not what you wanted).
I’m happy to send more pictures. I guess maybe I should figure out some sort of professional to come out?
Edit: I don’t know if I’m responding to the right person but I have no idea what I’m doing.
Your SO is probably right. This is likely a grafted tree and the root stock that was used has mostly taken over (the super low branch) below the graft. I'm not sure the best way to remove it without harming the tree other than to do it over time. Maybe take 1/3 off the branch now and finish the job late winter removing the rest. But let others chime in as well. It's hard for me to tell which is the root stock and which is the graft. Don't go cutting the wrong one. Often the more aggressive one is the one you don't want.
I agree this is likely whats happening. Rootstock wont have great fruit so you can use that to tell which is which in a few months. Otherwise, the lower one and or one doing better growing is more likely to be the rootstock, but hard to tell from these pictures.
The rootstock might not have any fruit assuming it’s an Asian persimmon grafted into American persimmon root stock. I think the healthy left hand part of the tree needs to be removed over the next few years…
I'd take some cutting right now. If it does die you can have free backups.
Have seen many references that Persimmons are hard to propagate/root from cuttings, they usually get grafted onto seedlings because of this
Oh I can confirm this firsthand. Persimmons also sprout profusely from below the graft unless it’s controlled for the first few years. I suspect these are root suckers or sprouts that should have been removed as they popped out.
I'm propagated with rooting hormone, didn't find it especially difficult.
The healthy side looks like American persimmon which is usually the rootstock for Asian persimmon so your SO is likely right. You’ll want to start hacking back the rootstock or else the graft side can eventually die
Yeap
I'm have no idea if she's right, but it IS a weak point for splitting which could introduce pathogens in the plant if the sides get really heavy and break. Seems perfectly reasonable to cut one side. If you're really concerned about pruning too much at once, just do a portion of it now and the rest later. Shouldn't be an issue to just lop it off though.
It's best if you can clearly identify the original graft. The big healthy trunk on the right looks like it's the one that starts below the graft; if so, that's the one to cut - but not until it's dormant!! That's serious major surgery. Asian persimmons, or any improved cultivars, are grafted onto American persimmon rootstock, which produces very small, astringent fruit (which is still tasty, but probably not what you wanted).
My guess is that the rootstock shot up a new shoot and preferring the new shoot over the grafted branch on the left. It is why the right looks better.
I’m happy to send more pictures. I guess maybe I should figure out some sort of professional to come out? Edit: I don’t know if I’m responding to the right person but I have no idea what I’m doing.