Asimina triloba Susquehanna Peterson Pawpaws - Pawpaw

Asimina triloba Susquehanna is a brand new improved variety of pawpaw, a small North American fruit tree. Still little planted in our gardens and orchards, it has a decidedly tropical appearance that is contradicted by its hardy temperament.  It is perfectly adapted to temperate and even continental climates. In 'Susquehanna', the fruits can weigh up to 500 g, contain very few seeds, and have a texture that is firm and melting, with a very exotic flavour, halfway between mango and banana, with notes of pineapple. Fruit production begins when the plant reaches 2 to 2.50 m (7 to 8ft), around 3 to 6 years. This non-self-fertile variety requires the presence of another subject to bear fruit.

Asimina triloba is a plant of the annonaceae family, which includes tropical fruit trees such as annonas, soursop, cinnamon apple, cherimoya, and ylang-ylang. All of these species are fairly primitive flowering plants, similar to magnolias. Pawpaw is native to the United States and southeastern Canada. It grows naturally in alluvial deposits along rivers and on sandy and muddy riverbanks, particularly in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. Although it has become quite rare in the wild, the Pawpaw is increasingly planted in North American parks and gardens. Large-scale cultivation as an orchard tree is not feasible due to profitability reasons, as the plant does not lend itself well to mechanized cultivation and fruit picking. It is, however, an excellent fruit tree as well as an ornamental plant for private gardens.

The 'Susquehanna' selection was developed very recently by the American specialist of the genus, Neal Peterson. It is interesting for its size and the taste value of its fruits, as well as for its better tolerance to pruning. The tree will reach about 8-10 m (26-33ft) high and 3-5 m (10-16ft) wide and its habit is conical to pyramidal, with the crown carried by a straight, thick trunk covered with grey bark. In the garden, with regular pruning, this tree can grow up to 3 m (10ft) high and 2 to 2.50 m (7 to 8ft) wide. Its growth is slow, especially during the first years as the Pawpaw wil first develop its root system. The exotic-looking foliage, is deciduous. The large, 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12in) long leaves are alternate, rather pendulous and elongated oval in shape. They appear quite late in spring, after the flowers. Their shape somewhat resembles chestnut leaves. They are green in summer and turn a lovely yellow in autumn before browning and falling.

Asimina Susquehanna is not self-fertile: you will need to plant at least two trees for pollination, carried out by insects (common flies, dung flies, or beetles). The rounded floral buds appear in the axils of the leaves in summer and open in the following spring, around April, just before the new leaves appear. These are bell-shaped flowers, 5 cm (2in) in diameter, with 6 purple petals. They appear singly or in small clusters on the branches.

Pawpaws are large oval berries that can measure up to 20 cm (8in). The skin is green-yellow when ripe and contains a firm and creamy pulp, similar in texture to avocado. It is generally yellow and contains very few large black seeds (up to a maximum of 3% of the total weight of the fruit). The taste and texture of the pawpaw resemble mango, pineapple, and banana. The fruits are harvested when they become soft to the touch and ready to fall. The harvest takes place over about twenty days, around September. Once harvested, the fruits can be stored for a few days at room temperature or one to two weeks in the refrigerator. Peel the fruits and remove the seeds before consuming. They can be eaten fresh or used to make ice cream, sorbets, juices, or compotes. Pawpaw is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as amino acids and trace elements.

This deciduous tree is very hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F). However, it dislikes hot summers and dry soils. It thrives in moist, loose, fertile, and deep, well-drained soil. Suitable climates are oceanic or continental, with relatively warm but humid summers and cold winters, which are necessary for flowers to be produced.

Properties:

The leaves of the Pawpaw contain natural substances with proven insecticidal properties, especially against nematodes. Therefore, it may be useful to use the dead leaves as mulch around sensitive plants.