Fruit TreesAnnonaceae
Pawpaw.
PerennialDeer-resistant
At a glance
The spec sheet.
- Direct sow / out
- Spring — hard to transplant when older
- Germ
- Purchased trees
- Days to harvest
- Fruit year 5–7
- Spacing
- 15 ft, but plant in group of 2–3
- Depth
- Same as pot; deep taproot
- Square-foot
- Native — plant in a wild edge or edible-forest area
- Qty target
- 2–3 trees for occasional fresh fruit.
Plant
Native NJ fruit tree — tropical-tasting fruit. Needs part shade for first 2 years. Plant 2 unrelated seedlings for cross-pollination.
Care
Deer-resistant (rare among fruit trees!). No spray program needed. Requires patience — long time to first fruit.
Harvest
September — fruit softens and yields to touch. Very short shelf life — 2–3 days.
Frozen puree keeps flavor best. Also pawpaw ice cream, muffins, quick bread.
Companion planting
What pawpaw likes, and doesn’t.
Good neighbors
- Woodland edges
- Spicebush
- Serviceberry
- None significant
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