Are pawpaw trees self fruit filling

Are pawpaw trees self fruit filling

Are pawpaw trees self fruit filling?

Does the pawpaw tree have a tendency to self-fruit fill? By this I mean, does the tree produce fruit, with the ability to fall from the tree and be eaten by any animals (human or otherwise) in the area, if not for you, then for someone else? For example, what if I had several pawpaw trees in a row and every one of them had ripe fruit on it? Would I run out of pawpaws, or would my animal visitors get to eat them?

If you want to share any knowledge of your experiences in this area, feel free. Thanks!

Yes, it can and you will be able to see a change in foliage within a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Fruits usually ripen in the fall if you are able to harvest. They do produce more fruit if you let them go to "seed."

Dave KOct 26 '12 at 8:15

Fruit can be a bit confusing as it depends on variety of the tree and the climate and growing conditions the tree has been grown in. We plant our trees in an area that is too humid to produce good results. Usually it takes 4-5 years before fruits begin to form, they come in bunches and need to be picked for storage. When fruits are ripe, they have a "fuzzy" feel to them and taste delicious when you bite into them.

If you want to be sure, you have to test for yourself. If you plant a pawpaw tree in your garden and see fruits forming, the chances are high you can expect them to fall to the ground. If you plant several trees, the same cannot be said.

For the sake of those who want to grow pawpaw fruit for consumption I recommend a search of this web site for the different fruits of the pawpaw tree. There are many varieties and their fruits can vary in size, texture and color. Some have dark flesh and a sweet, tangy, almost peach-like flavor while others have very little flesh and are almost completely sweet and juicy.

One tree grown in USDA Zone 5, will produce enough fruit to consume in a couple of months, while it is too early to be able to tell for the zone your tree is in right now, it should be producing fruit in a couple of months. To get you started, here are some varieties:

You have a lot of information in this comment and it was difficult to select information to answer your question. For growing the fruit you need a different variety, so it is hard to generalize. You can use this information to help you choose the best pawpaw variety and it will give you a better idea how to cultivate pawpaws. Once the tree is producing fruit, you can decide what to do with the fruit and how to store it.

If you want to consume the fruit, your best bet is to get some seeds from trees at your local garden center and start planting them in your yard. They will do better in cooler climates as the temperature will be higher and it is not recommended to plant this variety in warmer climates. You might also find seedlings in your area in your local neighborhood, they will have been purchased from your local garden center.

Here is another source you can look into, it has a list of commercial fruits of the pawpaw.

I live in south east Washington in the town of Eatonville, the USDA Hardiness Zones here are: 5a-7b. I had the best luck with the ‘Sugar Queen’ variety, but it is not that easy to find in town. If you don’t want to go to a lot of trouble, grow other types that you enjoy eating, but will go bad in the fall before you get to pick them, the local pawpaw is great when cooked like apples in pies, or mixed into pancakes and french toast. I hope you enjoy your fruits of the pawpaw.

I am a very beginner to all things edible and I recently have started researching pawpaw recipes as well as a blog dedicated to all things pawpaw. My favorite way to eat the fruit is to boil it, chop it up and add it to a bowl of ice cream. It gives it a unique taste and texture and is really delicious. Thank you so much for sharing your experience on this topic!

I have planted PawPaw seeds for the first time in my life and had a ton of success. It is a very easy process and I was successful in my first attempt to grow a seedling and I am excited to see if I can grow another this spring.

Thank you so much for this information! I’ve heard of it in the past, but wasn t sure if it was still around. Looks like I was going about it all wrong. Now I m off to search for some of these plants. I was hoping it was a local thing, but I m glad to know I m not the only person who has trouble locating these!

I live in south of Seattle and have Pawpaws every year! I love them when I’m at our property for the winter. We have the “Sugar Queen” so they are delicious! Have you ever tried it as a salad? It makes a great side with dinner. I’ve grown one of them in our backyard but I think it needed a stronger root system to live outside.

Hi Sarah,

I live in north Georgia and there are pawpaw trees all over the place. They are a big “hit” in the summer time. I have heard of pawpaws being canned and frozen for winter time and I am not sure I like the taste of them after they are frozen.

What is your favorite way to enjoy pawpaws, if any?



I just thought that I would comment and give you a “thumbs up” because of the great site and information that you have put together. It’s the only site I have found with an info that actually explains pawpaws. My Dad just called me saying that he was growing a pawpaw this year for the first time, and I was in such a state of panic that I could hardly believe it! Thankfully, he got one growing and it’s in the back yard of our old house. It has been there for about 15 years!

He had planted a seed this past spring when he was able to find some ripe pawpaws and that seems to be where his seedlings came from. He will be cutting down a couple other trees on the property to make room for it so that it will have enough room to grow and put on some weight. And it sounds like my Dad is the type of person who would really enjoy the taste of pawpaws!

I don’t really know much about pawpaws, although I have a friend who grew them in Georgia and would always ask my Mom to send him some of the ripe fruit. So I will let my Dad know about the site so that he can read the comments from others who have eaten them and I will do the same. Thanks for all of the great info. I’m sure that this is just the beginning of a long and happy relationship!

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for the good news about your Dad and the pawpaw tree. It looks like you are all ready to start enjoying some of this tasty fruit. Just so you know, the pawpaw tree is one of the most productive fruit trees, especially if you live in the North