The wild native trees are usually male or female, but can occasionally be self-fertile. I have seen isolated trees that had fruit every year, with no other trees within miles to pollinate it.
There are selected varieties that are propagated or grafted, that produce larger fruit and are self-fertile. Many nurseries that stock native trees, often have a selection of these.
I grew up in the Ozarks and it was always a treat to find some ripe fruit on a tree during the fall. You learn at a very early age to determine the really ripe one's :

Here is a link that might be useful: Diospyros

True enough, this species is dioecious (has both males and females). As the writer above mentioned, some cultvars have been found to be partially self-fertile.

You'd have already seen persimmons on a 20 year-old tree if it were female. The good news is that if your friend wants fruit, she already has a male for pollination...all she has to do now is get a female...or better yet...a number of female persimmon trees!!! Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: persimmonpudding.com

I have a tree that is diesease with a type of web.
Can some one email me and let me know how to correct this problem.

thanks God Bless