Indiana Berry

The pawpaw (Asimina Triloba) has a wide range throughout the Eastern U.S. The tree belongs to the custard apple family (Annonaceai). It has a tropical appearance. Leaves will be as long as 12" and up to 6" wide. The bark is very smooth and gray in color. PawPaws grow from southern Michigan and New York state in the North to Florida in the South. Its western boundary is about Nebraska and Texas. 
  Pawpaws seems to adapt to any soil type. Found near water sources, it tells that they do like ample amounts of water and rich type loamy soil with organic matter. The pH ranges seem to be wide ranging from 4.5 upwards to 6.0. The pawpaw seems to do better in the higher range pH. You can expect fruit in 4 to 5 years. 
  Pawpaw plants are very extensive root system both wide and deep which makes them difficult to dig and transplant. By purchasing in a container the breakage is minimal and there will be more fine feeder roots. Plant them as deep as the container and water them will settle the dirt. They will need 1 inch of water per week the first year. Dig a hole approximately 12" wide and 6" deep. Plant spacing should be 8' between plants and 10' between rows. Place the plant in the hole, fill with soil and water thoroughly. The top of the potted plant should be slightly lower than the top of the hole. Be sure that the potted plant is completely covered with your native soil or it may act as a wick and cause the roots to dry out. Plant two varieties or a combination of seedlings and varieties for cross-pollination. Ripening time for them is September through October. 
  Fertilize with a mild water-soluble fertilizer. Trees should receive 1 ounce of fertilizer for every year of age. New plants must be protected by a tree shelter. These shelters are included with your order. A wood stake and protective net are included with the tree shelter. 
  As the trees grow they should be pruned. Prune the lower branches about 3 ft. from the ground before letting it branch. Suckers should be pruned, and after 5 to 6 years the suckering will stop. 
 

Although the pawpaw is capable of fruiting in the shade, it performs best on sites with full-sun exposure, but because of its large leaves needs some protection from wind. Seedlings, however, will not survive under full sun conditions because the young shoot is extremely sensitive to sunlight. Shading for the first year, and sometimes the second, is usually required.  That is why wild pawpaws are primarily an understory tree.

Our pawpaws are shipped with a tree shelter that protects the young seedling from the direct sunlight and encourages vertical growth, simulating a seedling struggling to compete in the understory of a mature forest.