A tree that looks like a tropical plant has fruits shaped like mangoes but tastes like banana custard. But it is not a tropical plant at all or related to any of them. It is a deciduous tree that can be grown in about 26 different states across America. Seeming to have migrated from Central America all the way up into parts of Canada, likely due to animal migrations. It’s another plant that you will either love or hate, so before you go buying the trees, try them first.
They do need a pollinator buddy. When you are looking at buying plants, they are usually sold in pairs of two different varieties for proper cross-pollination. That being said, it does mean you need some decent space or be willing to heavily prune for a while. You want to aim for 8-15 feet apart. Slow to establish but will take off quickly once their roots take a good hold in the soil. Growing upwards of 3 feet a year in proper growing conditions. Pawpaws can be grown in the understory of larger trees, but will perform better in full sun. Best to keep on pruning at a young age as well to create a good support system. Pawpaws are prone to sucking heavily. Keep an eye on the ground and cut back suckers as they grow.
These trees will produce beautiful upside-down bell-shaped flowers in the late spring before the leaves even start to grow. It will be one of the last trees in your yard to look like it is alive. You will start to wonder if it died over the winter before the leaves break dormancy for the year. You can expect to harvest your pawpaws around August to September. Try to grab them before they fall to the ground and bruise, or they won’t store well.
Find more Urban Gnomestead @urbangnomestead and at free monthly garden talk 1-3 p.m., May 31 at Ridgeline Brewing in Bremerton. This month’s topic: Celery/Celriac
