Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
*we grow these in larger "treepots" to facilitate their need for a larger root system*
Our very own Native Americans knew about the various attributes of the tropical looking pawpaw, and most likely increased their distribution to what it is today. Although not very well known today, except among a growing group of followers, the pawpaw deserves more respect than it gets. Let’s start with the flavor of its fruit, which can be described as an intense banana pudding with a hint of mango flavor. The fruit flavor comes as a surprise considering the leaves smell of bell pepper or diesel fuel when crushed, which keeps the foliage relatively pest free. Even if these fruits didn’t taste like a dream, the health benefits far outweigh the flavor experience. Pawpaw is extremely high in Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, amino acids, and several vitamins. It is also being studied intensively for its already proven anti-cancer and insecticidal qualities.
We collect our fruit from wild and cultivated sources every year in late August, just before they ripen and fall to the ground when hungry deer, coons, possums, hogs, and you-name-it are waiting to steal our crop. Many of our fruits are quite large (up to 4 or 5” in length) and contain fewer seeds, which is a good thing considering pawpaw's seem to inherit traits from their parents more often than not.
Pawpaw's prefer your best soil with good drainage and protection from wind, so try and be picky when choosing a site for planting. A good starting point would be about twenty feet away from a treeline in a bottom field. Cedars or other fruit trees make an excellent windbreak, just be sure and plant your paw paws at least twenty feet from your break to deter its roots from robbing the soil moisture. A good spacing would be ten foot by at least ten foot. Don’t forget to consider prevailing winds when choosing a site.
| Zone: | 6 - 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.2 - 7.2 |
| Mature Height: | 25' |
| Wildlife Value: | Fruit eaten by deer, raccoon, fox, opossum, and most songbirds. |
| Site Preference: | Likes deep, moist, soils usually along streams or rivers. |
| Fruit: | Produces fruit similar to banana with a good taste. Also believed to contain anti-carcinogens |
| Alias: | False Banana |
Customer Reviews
5 out of the 6 tree stems were broken. They are still alive and sprouting new shoots but they lost about a foot of height and all their leaves.
I ordered 2 pawpaw trees and both showed up looking happy and healthy. Hopefully they both stay that way and grow to huge happy trees for us to get fruit from.
Potted these up to grow out. They look fantastic!
One of the 2 paw paw tree I bought looks dying. I requested partial refund 4 days ago, have not received respond yet.
It arrived nice and healthy. It has subsequently lost all of its leaves. I hope that is just normal fall loss and not indicating it didn't survive. I guess I'll see come spring...