The paw paw (Asimina triloba) is North America’s largest native fruit, prized for its unique, tropical-custard flavor. Establishing this small, temperate tree successfully requires careful attention to planting timing. A successful transplant depends on minimizing stress to the tree’s sensitive root system, ensuring it can quickly establish itself. Understanding the optimal moment for planting a paw paw is the first step toward enjoying its distinctive fruit.
Optimal Timing for Planting
The best time to plant a paw paw tree is during its dormant season to minimize transplant shock. Early spring is the preferred window, specifically as soon as the soil is workable but before the tree begins to leaf out. This timing allows the roots to acclimate to the new soil before the tree demands energy for foliage growth.
Bare-root paw paws are particularly vulnerable and must be planted during this narrow window of early spring dormancy. Container-grown trees offer more flexibility and can be planted later in the spring or into early fall. For growers in colder regions, spring planting is more successful than fall planting, giving the roots a full season to establish before winter.
Site Selection and Preparation
Paw paw trees thrive in deep, fertile, and moist soil that provides excellent drainage, mimicking their natural habitat. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally ranging between 5.5 and 7.0. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas, as the roots will not tolerate standing water.
Sun exposure requirements change dramatically as the tree matures. Mature paw paws require full sun exposure, typically six to eight hours of direct light daily, for maximum fruit production. However, young seedlings are sensitive to sunlight and require partial shade or protection for the first one or two years to prevent scorching. Planting the young tree where it receives morning sun but is shielded from intense mid-day and afternoon sun is an effective strategy.
The Physical Planting Process
Paw paw trees are difficult to transplant successfully due to their fleshy, brittle root system, which includes a long, delicate taproot. The planting hole should be dug wide—at least two to three times the width of the root ball—but only as deep as the roots themselves. This wide hole encourages the lateral spread of new roots into the surrounding native soil.
Carefully remove the tree from its container, taking caution not to disturb or break the taproot. Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring the root collar is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Backfill the hole gently with the original soil, avoiding compaction, which can suffocate the roots. After backfilling, create a small, raised ring of soil around the edge of the planting area to form a basin that directs water toward the root zone.
Immediate Post-Planting Care
The newly planted paw paw requires immediate, deep watering to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets around the roots. Consistent moisture is necessary, especially during the first two growing seasons, but the soil must never become waterlogged. Applying a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, helps conserve soil moisture and moderate the temperature.
Temporary sun protection is required for young trees planted in full-sun locations to prevent sunscald on the sensitive foliage. This protection can be provided using shade cloth, burlap, or a tree shelter secured above the sapling for the entire first year. Avoid applying fertilizer during the first growing season, allowing the tree to focus its energy on establishing a strong root system before stimulating top growth.