Des Moines is giving away free persimmon trees

• They taste like the "fabulous fruity love child of a mango and a roasted sweet pepper, with some cinnamon and dates in the background," according to sustainability website Treehugger.

What's happening: The city is responding to citizen requests to incorporate fruit and nut trees into the Tiny program, spokesperson Youssef Ghazali tells Axios.

• The American hazelnut is also among the eight available species.

The intrigue: This year's Tiny orders began two weeks ago and, so far, persimmon and the eastern redbud are the most popular.

🌳 Get your shade on: DSM residents can order up to five trees through April 28.

• Pickup day is May 11 at Polk County River Place.

🟠 1 fun thing to go: Jason planted a persimmon tree in his yard about four years ago but no fruit yet.

• It apparently needs a mate to pollinate!