Most beautiful fruit or nut tree?

[Dave Wilson Nursery]

Many fruiting trees have striking, shapely form in winter or spectacular spring blossoms; many provide sensational fall color or lush summer foliage. Whether selecting a distinctive specimen for landscaping or dual-purpose trees for any yard large or small, the edible ornamental perspective offers a fascinating way to think about tree varieties. What's your most beautiful fruit or nut tree?

[Gwen in L.A.]

Spring flowering stone fruits are beautiful...

All year choice: I'm fond of persimmons as an ornamental. Great leaves, rather 'tropical' looking. Interesting flowers up close, and beautiful fruits. Bare winter trunk is interesting to me, and a great place to hang bird feeder.

[Ed Laivo]

I agree the persimmon is one beautiful landscape tree and for all the reasons you have shared. I will add that in most areas the persimmon's fall color is second to none. Dave Wilson Nursery has included the persimmon as one of our selections of "Edible Ornamentals." It is truly a fashionable substitute for non-bearing ornamentals.

[StoryGal]

I have several pomegranate trees in my yard. Their delicate tiny leaves add vibrant green in spring and summer. Then in fall they turn purple, red with just a hint of gold. Plus, the giant orbs just shout, "Hello!" I love being able to give baskets of pomegranate to friends in autumn. And my mini-pom makes great additions to floral arrangements.

Like Gwen, I love persimmons for ornamentation. I don't have one, but I sure do enjoy my neighbor's persimmon tree. In December when the leaves are all gone, those big orange persimmons grab the eye. You can see them a block away. And then when he gives me a bag of persimmons, I use the persimmon cookie recipe that my mother-in-law handed down to me. Yum!