Ok, good to hear - as you can see, the graft is very far above the roots, and I was worried that I had buried the initial (below-graft) trunk portion too low, and the place where the roots begin was maybe too far underneath ground level. I have to dig down about 3-4" before I can find the first roots with my fingers.

I'm kind of unclear on the perils of planting too deep - if it is a moisture issue (too much moisture/not enough drainage) or an air issue (roots need access to oxygen closer to the surface)?

In any case, I just planted this in May, so I figure stressing it out now to have it thrive next summer might be worth it, if necessary.

Leaves look fine; all in all, it looks to be a nice, healthy plant.

However, from your photos, *I* can't tell much about planting depth/root flare or graft union. That little 'dogleg' halfway up the trunk *may* be the graft union, I just can't tell for sure.

Yes, the 'dogleg' is where Englands pruned it, I think. The graft is lower - I think this is it:

There was one little rootlet coming off a couple inches above the root ball. Here I'm pointing to it:

Here is the depth to the rootlet, with a trowel for scale:

So it's a ways down to this rootlet and even farther down to the root ball/flare. I think the rootball is at least 6 inches below soil level... is that bad for long term success?

A good idea (before planting) is too dig the hole where you want to plant and fill it with water. How long does it take to drain, come back a couple hours later and still water in hole? Best to plant the tree on a mound. I guess you could dig an adjacent hole and see how your drainage is.

I disagree with the advice here. If the top of the crown isn't showing its to deep. I would dig it up if it was me.

I also think the tree is looking healthy and wouldn't mess with it. If the tree isn't dormant and isn't showing signs of new growth up top, then the roots are growing. The black spots might be a fungal issue, possibly even black spot like roses get though I don't know if persimmons are susceptible.

You won't find one reputable company or university that recommends planting the crown 4 inches or more below the soil.

at least remove the soil above the crown and out for a couple feet

Planting depth looks ok, tree looks OK. I wouldn't disturb it. Black spots on leaves... just part and parcel of being a persimmon, IMO.

Please google tree planting depth. I gaurentee 9/10 articles or more will say the root crown should be at or slightly above soil level. Trees do die from being planted too deep. Weither it's from root suffocation or delayed trunk damage from bacteria or mold.

I would remove dirt to expose the top of the root ball now and then replant it higher this winter. Just because there aren't any problems showing now when it's only been in the ground a short time doesn't mean there won't be in the future.

Thank you all so much for the comments - it sounds like if I do replant it, I should cut off the stray rootlet and plant it even higher than I initially intended.

I think my problems were twofold - I planted it so the rootlet was just under the soil (and the bulk of the roots were 3-4" under the soil) and then didn't allow the soil to settle properly during the planting process so it subsequently sunk down several inches with the rootlet ending up 3-4" below soil level and the main root mass 6-8" below soil level.

Steve D (IL 5b/6a)

how is your persimmon tree doing this past summer? is it still alive, did you replant it, did it produce any flowers yet, did it have problem surviving winter temps, did you wrap it all over to protect it it from freezing?