PAW PAW

Who is growing Paw Paw or has it growing wild in their area?
Where are you located?
What kind of soil do you have?

Thanks everyone!!!

I replied to your Texas post.

I know where a small wild patch grows here in Western PA. I haven't been there in about 8 or 9 years now. They are somewhat understudy trees on the edge of a woods on a hillside. From what I recall, the soil was the typical forest loam that one generally encounters here. One side of the patch was exposed to the sun without much competition, but the other side was shaded by larger trees. The fruit smells great, but I never much liked eating it. Too much like an overripe banana for me. Nevertheless, it is pleasant to have around for about a month. Overrated for taste in my book, but excellent odor. I would rather grow pineapple quava but cannot here.

Is it a Pine forest?

I had the idea of growing paw paw under tall pines. I got in touch with these folks http://www.petersonpawpaws.com/ and can't remember the guys name right now but he said that I'm so far south in the paw paws range that growing them under pines would work just fine. I'm still undecided on whether I really want to grow paw paws but from what I've found out they should do well as an under story tree in the deep south.

No, its not a pine forest here.

We dont have pine trees here but i am researching planting them under pecan trees. The shells of pecans are very acid.

I have also been looking at planting under mesquite trees as well. While the mesquite tree doesnt acidify the soil it make the soil extremely nutrient rich due to its nitrogen fixing behavior.

I have put in about 15 plants and 100 seeds so far. Let the experiment begin!!!!

That is why I am looking for someone with wild or naturalized paw paw in Texas so I can get a good seed stock.

Here in the southern reaches of Illinois, pawpaws grow like weeds along the rivers and creeks. Our soil is heavy clay. I know my neighborhood has quite a few hickory trees and the pawpaws seem to coexist with them just fine, so pecans probably shouldn't be a problem (though obviously, the native forest isn't *all* hickory).

Paw Paws grow on sream banks around my area.