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Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Connections

Common Planting Questions

What is a pawpaw?

• The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native tree fruit commonly found in the forest understory in the eastern U.S.
• Trees grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8.
• The ripe fruit has yellow to orange flesh with a tropical flavor often described as a blend of banana, mango, and pineapple.

Where should I plant pawpaw trees?

• Pawpaw trees grow best in slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5–7.0).
• They prefer moist, well-drained sites but should not be planted in areas that remain flooded for long periods. Avoid heavy clay soils.

Should I plant grafted or seedling trees?

• Seedling trees are less expensive but have unknown fruit quality and may take 5–7 years to flower and fruit due to juvenility.
• Grafted trees cost more but produce fruit of known quality and often begin bearing in 3–4 years.

Should I plant more than one tree to get fruit?

• Yes. Pawpaws are generally self-incompatible and require cross-pollination.
• Plant at least two genetically different trees. Two grafted trees of the same cultivar will not effectively cross-pollinate.

When is the best time to plant pawpaw trees?

• Dormant trees can be planted in spring (March–April in Kentucky) or fall (early November).
• Trees with leaves should be planted after the last frost date, typically in May.

Can pawpaw trees be planted in full sun?

• Young trees establish best in light to moderate shade.
• Mature trees produce the most fruit in full sun. Heavily shaded trees will produce few fruit.

Should I use a tree shelter or grow tube?

• Yes, especially for trees less than 2 feet tall.
• Tree shelters provide shade, reduce wind stress, conserve moisture, and protect trees from animals and herbicides (Fig. 1).
• They can significantly improve survival during establishment.

Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.

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On planting day, what should I do?

• Remove perennial weeds before planting.
• Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the taproot, usually about 1 foot deep.
• Avoid planting in excessively wet or dry soil. Fill the hole carefully, eliminate air pockets, and water thoroughly after planting.
• Space trees at least 8 feet apart and rows about 20 feet apart in orchards.

Should I fertilize my tree?

• Yes. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer through fertigation at 500 ppm once in May, June, and July.
• Alternatively, apply urea, Nature Safe\circledR, or 10-10-10 at 1 oz of actual nitrogen per tree annually during establishment.
• Apply 3–4 oz of actual nitrogen per tree in late winter after the 2nd year as tree matures.

Can I transplant trees or root suckers?

• Transplanting pawpaws can be difficult because of their deep taproot.
• Dig as much of the root system as possible and keep the root ball intact.
• Root suckers often lack sufficient roots to survive on their own, but success may improve if they are partially separated from the mother tree several weeks before transplanting.

Do I need to water my trees?

• Water trees immediately after planting.
• Young trees are sensitive to drought and should receive about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season.
• Drip irrigation works well in orchards.

How can I control weeds around my trees?

• Weed control is critical during establishment.
• Use wood-chip mulch or weed-barrier fabric to suppress weeds and grass around trees.
• Glyphosate may also be used according to label directions, but avoid contact with tree bark, stems, root suckers, and leaves.

Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.

Figure 1. Example of a grow tube or tree shelter and mulch Acknowledgments

We acknowledge funding to support this work from USDA Evans-Allen Project # 7004384, USDA 1890 Cooperative Extension, and 1890 Centers of Excellence CSFRPRES.

Sources

Layne DR. 1996. The pawpaw, Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal: A new fruit crop for Kentucky and the United States. HortScience. 31:777–784. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.31.5.777

Pomper KW, Layne DR. 2004. The North American pawpaw: Botany and horticulture. In: Janick J, editor. Horticultural Reviews. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. p. 349–382. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470650882.ch7

Pomper KW, Crabtree SB, Layne DR., Peterson RN., Masabni J., Wolfe D. 2008. The Kentucky pawpaw regional variety trial. J. Amer. Pom. Sci. 62:58-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.71318/apom.2008.62.2.58

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