Pawpaw Tree

Pawpaw Tree Overview

The Pawpaw tree is a medium sized tree native to the eastern United States and Canada. It not only decorates your landscape with purple flowers in the spring but also produces long sunny, zesty, tropical fruits. In fact, the fruit is large, 3″-6″ long and yellowish green. Additionally, they ripen between August and October. However, their storage life is very short. They are perfect for eating fresh as well as for making jams and jellies.

Pawpaw trees grow well in hardiness zones 5-9 and the seedlings take about 6-7 years to produce fruit. The cross-pollination of at least two different genetic varieties is recommended in order to have optimal fruiting. In order to attract pollinators, you can spray fish emulsion or hang meat near the open flowers. In fact, in the spring, it will produce beautiful purple flowers.

The twigs and leaves contain extracts that have insecticidal properties and fruits are free from pests damage. In fact, the pawpaw tree prefers moist, slightly acidic soils and require regular watering, Although they can adapt well to many conditions, they don’t perform well in poorly drained soils and need protection from the wind. Additionally, they prefer full sun (6 hrs direct light daily) or partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily). If you would like more information on how to grow trees, see the articles in our guide.

Growing Characteristics

• Uses: eating fresh, jam, jellies
• Taste: sunny, zesty, tropical, with hints of mango-banana-citrus
• Size: 3″-6″ long fruit
• Color: yellowish-green
• Height and width: 15ft – 20ft wide and 10ft – 25ft tall
• Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Harvest period:August – October
• Diseases/Pests:
  • The twigs and leaves contain extracts that have insecticidal properties.
  • Therefore it doesn’t have serious disease or insect problems, although it is sensitive to drought.
  • Additionally, pawpaw trees are resistant to deer browse and tolerant of black walnut toxicity.
• Pollination: They fruit best when planted with other seedlings nearby in order for them to cross-pollinate one another. To attract pollinators, you can spray fish emulsion or hang meat near the open flowers.
• Cultivation: Pawpaw trees grow best though with well-drained moist soil with a more acidic pH. Additionally, the pawpaw tree grows best when you plant it in full-partial sun and the seedlings will produce fruit in 6-7 years. However these trees can have excessive sucker growth so be sure to prune regularly.
• Storage: Very short
• Difficulty of planting/care: Easy