Distance Between Paw Paw Trees for Pollination

Pollination

• The pawpaw tree produces perfect flowers that contain both male and female reproductive parts. The flowers are also protogynaus, where the female stigma matures and does not remain receptive after the male pollen is shed. Despite its complete flowers, the pawpaw tree is not self-fertile and requires another tree for cross-pollination and fruit set.

Spacing

• For effective pollination, space pawpaw trees 20 feet apart from each other and other structures, recommends Miranda Smith in "Complete Home Gardening." Wild and cultivated pawpaw varieties may be used to pollinate each other. In cases where trees do not receive sufficient pollination, hang some rotten meat on the trees. The meat will attract carrion-seeking flies that will increase tree pollination, according to Smith.

Flower Description

• Pawpaw flower buds are dark brown in color and grow in the axils of year-old leaves. The flowers measure 2 inches across, are dark red or maroon and hang upside down. Each bloom has two whorls, consisting of three petals each, and three sepals in the calyx. The tree usually blooms anytime during a six-week period between March and May. Blooming time is affected by local growing conditions, variety and altitude. Every flower has multiple ovaries and produces more than one fruit.

Fruit

• The fruit of the pawpaw tree is the largest-sized edible fruit native to the United States. Each fruit measures 3 to 6 inches in length, weighs anywhere between 5 to 16 ounces and has two rows of brown to black seeds, numbering between 10 and 14. The lima bean-like seeds are 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches in length. The large-sized fruit is similar in appearance to a mango, soft in texture and has a thin skin.