The tropical fruit of the eastern U.S.! Pawpaw trees produce delicious, palm-sized green fruits that taste like a cross between a mango and banana, ripening in September. These trees were once spread by giant sloths, now they need our help. Host to native lepidoptera and other native insects. Pawpaw trees can often be found growing in clonal colonies in woodland understories. They will grow in full shade but partial sun is needed for fruit production - they do not like full sun, especially in their first few years of life. Plant in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of mulch (think conditions of a forest understory). Pawpaw are dioecious (two houses), meaning both male and female trees are needed for pollination. Plant a grove of 6 or more for the best odds of getting a pair, then topwork any extra males to increase fruit production. In spring they sport maroon-colored flowers and in fall leaves turn a brilliant yellow. Pawpaw will spread by suckering, but this can be managed with mowing. Our pawpaw seedlings are grown from seed, so there is a diversity of genetics compared to propagation by grafting. As pawpaw seedlings do not emerge until July, they are smaller than our other trees but have a taproot that is substantially larger.