Growing Pawpaws In the Midwest- a very brief overview

 

Shade

Paw paws require shade for the first 2-3 years and can then continue living in shade or full sun. A mature tree in full sun will make more fruit than a mature tree in full shade. Don’t put your new trees in full sun, even for a few minutes.

Tubes instead of Shade

To mimic natural shade, you can put a 2.5 ft tree tube around your paw paw tree in an area that is in full sun. Once the paw paw tree is 2.5 ft or taller, it can tolerate the sun. Leave the tube on for up to seven years to protect the truck from animals and mowers.

Pollination

Every paw paw seedling is genetically different and you need two trees for pollination. Plant your paw paws between 7ft and 20ft apart for optimal pollination. Paw paws are pollinated by flies and beetles.

Weeds

Paw paws will not tolerate being suffocated out by grass and weeds. Keep a 3x3ft area around your tree weed free with landscape cloth or cardboard and mulch.

 

There is a lot of information on growing paw paws online and elsewhere. Some good place to start are  www.petersonpawpaws.com or Micheal Judd’s book, For the Love of Paw Paws.