The leaves are simple and often confused with those of Blackgum. If the leaves are glossy, turn red, or have a few remote teeth, they're Blackgum, not Persimmon. If they're not, it still could be Blackgum - look for fruits or check the number of bundle scars (3 for Blackgum, 1 for Persimmon).

The branches of Persimmon and Blackgum are more different than the leaves. In Blackgum the main branches tend to be horizontal and the leaves are clustered on short spurs of smooth branches. In Persimmon the main branches are not horizontal, the leaves are more evenly spaced on longer side branches, small branches are hairy, and the buds are blackish.