DATE:    10/9/97  
WRITERS: Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604  
         Dr. Desmond Layne, (864) 656-4961

Planting Pawpaw Trees
                            
     CLEMSON -- If you have a stream or moist area on your
property that you want to landscape with a natural look, try a
pawpaw tree.  
     Pawpaw is ideal for spots where the tree can be left on its
own, and it produces the largest fruit native to the United
States. The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a multi-stemmed shrub or
small tree that can reach 15 to 20 feet in height, and is hardy
from zones 5 to 8.  
     Sprouts can shoot up from horizontal roots some distance
from the trunk and can produce a thicket, but mowing will control
the emerging shoots and prevent the stand from becoming a
problem.  
     Pawpaws are widely known for their large bean-shaped fruit,
which grow to about three to six inches long and about one to
three inches wide. The fruit has a fragrant aroma, a custard-like
texture and a banana-like taste.  
     Although planting pawpaws is possible in the fall, planting
in the spring is preferable, especially if the tree was
container-produced during the summer and might be susceptible to
late fall freezes.
     Because the pawpaw is difficult to transplant, select 
container-grown cultivars to improve your chances at establishing
this tree. The best quality pawpaw cultivars are Sunflower,
Overleese, Prolific, Taytwo, Mary Foos Johnson, Wilson and some
others. These are all northern or midwestern cultivars and
adaptability to South Carolina is unknown.  
     If the quality of the fruit is not important to you, buying
seedling trees is much cheaper. Grafted trees spend an additional
year in the nursery and retail for $10 to $25 each.
     Choose a moist, well-drained location in full sun or partial
shade for pawpaws. Care should be taken to water the tree
thoroughly to ensure good root-to-soil contact and provide
adequate water, especially during the establishment year. 
     Cross-pollination is required to set fruit. Flies and
beetles are the primary pollinators. Honeybees are not involved.
An individual pawpaw cannot fertilize itself because the pollen
is released when the stigma is not receptive. To produce fruit,
you may have to step in and hand-pollinate the flowers.  
     Along with its tasty fruit, the pawpaw will add beauty to
your property with its purple flowers in late spring and yellow
to yellow-green leaves in fall.
     For additional information and links concerning pawpaws,
view Desmond Layne's web page on the Internet at: 
http://agweb.clemson.edu/Hort/Faculty/Dlayne.htm. Layne, Clemson 
Extension fruit specialist and assistant professor of pomology in
Clemson's Department of Horticulture, serves as president of The
Pawpaw Foundation.
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     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News & Publications, Clemson University, A-101 Poole
Agricultural Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson,
S.C. 29634-0311.
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