The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is North America’s largest native fruit and a temperate relative of the tropical custard apple family. This unique fruit, often described as having a flavor reminiscent of banana, mango, and custard, has seen a resurgence in popularity among home gardeners. Acquiring a pawpaw tree involves understanding the unique retail channels that cater to this specific plant.
Finding Reputable Sources for Pawpaw Trees
Pawpaw trees are not typically found in the gardening sections of large chain stores due to their unique root structure and sensitivity to transplanting. The best sources for a wide selection of varieties are specialized online nurseries, which often focus on fruit trees or native plants. These businesses have developed specific growing and shipping methods to handle the pawpaw’s delicate root system, frequently selling trees that are three to five years old.
Online nurseries offer named cultivars, which are grafted varieties known for predictable and superior fruit quality. Local garden centers may carry common pawpaw varieties seasonally, but their stock is usually limited and often consists of seedlings with unpredictable fruit. For those seeking native or wild-type trees, specialized sources like arboretums, native plant societies, or university plant sales may occasionally offer locally adapted seedlings.
Pawpaws are typically sold as either bare-root saplings or container-grown trees. Container-grown trees, especially those in deep “tree pots,” are recommended because they suffer less transplant shock and have higher success rates upon planting. Bare-root pawpaws are more challenging to establish due to their sensitive taproot, but they must be planted in late winter or early spring before they leaf out.
Essential Considerations Before Purchase
Successful pawpaw cultivation requires careful selection before purchase. The vast majority of pawpaw trees are not self-fertile and require cross-pollination to produce fruit. To ensure a good fruit set, you must purchase at least two genetically distinct trees, meaning they cannot be grown from the same seed batch.
Pawpaw flowers are protogynous, meaning the female parts (stigma) mature and are no longer receptive before the male parts (pollen) are released. Therefore, pollen must be transferred from a different, genetically unique tree. Planting two different named cultivars, such as ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Susquehanna,’ is the most reliable way to guarantee this genetic diversity.
Named cultivars are propagated by grafting and are preferred over unselected seedlings because they offer reliable fruit characteristics, such as larger size, better flavor, and fewer seeds. For instance, ‘Potomac’ yields large fruit with fewer seeds, while ‘Allegheny’ offers a rich, sweet flavor with a hint of citrus. Always check the hardiness zone of the seller’s stock to ensure the tree is suited for your local climate, as pawpaws are hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
Unique Planting Requirements for Establishment
The pawpaw’s establishment phase has specific horticultural needs that must be addressed immediately after planting. The most important requirement is protecting young saplings from direct, full sun for the first one to two years. Pawpaws naturally grow as understory trees in their youth, and full sun exposure can kill a newly planted seedling.
Providing temporary shade using a shade cloth, burlap, or by planting the sapling on the north side of a structure or mature tree is recommended. While mature trees fruit best in full sun, this initial shading period is non-negotiable for successful establishment. Pawpaws prefer a deep, rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (ideally between 5.5 and 7.0).
The tree possesses a sensitive, fleshy taproot that is easily damaged, which makes them difficult to transplant and why they are often sold in deep containers. When planting, the hole should be two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper, and care must be taken not to disturb the root system. Consistent soil moisture is necessary, especially during the first two years, as young pawpaws are not drought-tolerant.