Hello, George, It must be the year for vegetative growth! I have also read in the CRFG journal that one can keep a Fuyu relatively short and umbrella-shaped by pruning, so that the fruit are much easier to pick. Do yourself a favor and get some bird netting. Ron P.S. Have you ever tried micro waving a cut up Fiuy persimmon? It's simply heavenly! I also enjoy the star-shaped cross section when you cut it from stem to flower end...and the fact that it will have no seeds, unless there happens to be a male tree somewhere in the neighborhood. Ron