Paw Paw

Hi Maggie,

Thank you so much for sharing your detailed and insightful experience with growing Paw Paw trees in Southwest Ohio! We truly appreciate you taking the time to provide such thoughtful observations—your points about their taproot challenges, preference for partial shade, and soil conditions will surely help other gardeners make informed decisions.

It’s wonderful to hear how well your Paw Paws are thriving and that you’re setting up cross-pollination for tasty fruit! Protecting young trees with wire cages and managing weeds as you do is definitely key to giving them the best start. Your note about local nurseries missing the Paw Paw aside, yet carrying that charming folklore, as well as pairing them with other natives like Sugar Maple and disease-resistant Elm, creates such a vibrant and healthy landscape vision.

If you ever want tips on nurturing fruit production or dealing with specific challenges like deer or soil amendments, feel free to reach out. For example, adding a layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture and reduce competition, stimulating growth despite clay-heavy soils. Additionally, ensuring multiple genetically diverse Paw Paws nearby supports better fruit set.

Thank you again for your thoughtful review and gardening wisdom, Maggie. We’re rooting for your continued success with these truly wonderful native treasures!

To greener days ahead,
Nature Hills Customer Care & Plant Support

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Paw Paw trees! It’s great to hear you were able to get such healthy-sized plants at a good price. Since Paw Paws are a bit slow-growing and can take some time to fully leaf out, especially within the first few months after planting, it’s understandable to be patient. Make sure your trees have a well-drained, rich soil and a spot with dappled sunlight or partial shade—they prefer these conditions which can encourage leaf development.

Also, watering consistently, especially during their first couple of years, will help support strong root growth. If you want, we have some handy guides on our website covering Paw Paw care and tips for encouraging healthy growth and fruiting that might be helpful as your trees establish.

We’re excited for you to enjoy your homegrown Paw Paws when the fruit appears in a couple of years—it’s a truly unique and rewarding treat!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new Paw Paw trees! We're glad you were able to get such a great deal on your plants. Paw Paws are such unique and wonderful trees— it's exciting that you’ll soon be able to enjoy fresh fruit from your own yard!

Since it’s only been a few months, it’s quite normal that your Paw Paws have not leafed out yet, especially if you planted them during early spring or late in the season. Cameo foliage usually appears once the soil is consistently warmed up in their growing season. Keep them well-watered (without overwatering), and make sure they’re in a spot that gets partial to full sun. Patience is key with Paw Paws, but once established, they grow steadily, and the fruit harvest will definitely be worth the wait.

If you’d like, we can send you some helpful tips on caring for Paw Paws as they develop, including soil preferences, fertilizing, and pruning advice—just let us know! Also, keep an eye out for perks like pollination tips since Paw Paws require cross-pollination between trees, which it seems you have set yourself up nicely for.

Thanks again for trusting Nature Hills with your gardening journey. We’re looking forward to growing alongside your paw paws in the years ahead!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Hello Cindy198,

Thank you so much for sharing your whimsical experience with your paw paw trees! It sounds like your backyard is quite a lively buffet for squirrels and local wildlife during the fall, which is such a charming testament to the natural appeal of these unique fruits. We completely understand the bittersweet feeling of watching nature enjoy your harvest while hoping for a little sweet fruit of your own!

To help deter squirrels a bit so you can enjoy more of those paw paws, you might consider using Squirrel baffle guards or installing motion-activated sprinklers, which can gently discourage them without harming wildlife. Additionally, netting over the trees during peak fruiting season could also protect your crop from hungry paws while still allowing sun and air to nourish the plants. Since you also’ve noticed deer paw prints nearby, you might want to look into deer-resistant fencing or deer repellents if the wildlife starts to get too eager.

For even more tips on protecting your paw paws, our plant care guides on NatureHills.com offer some great strategies for wildlife-friendly pest management and harvesting—a fun way to share your wildlife guests safely while preserving your crop.

Thank you again for your delightful and insightful review. We appreciate your thoughtful stewardship of both your garden and the local critters!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Hi Cindy198,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your paw paw trees! It sounds like you have a wonderful, wildlife-filled yard, even if those clever squirrels and curious deer have made the paw paws their annual autumn buffet. We completely understand wanting to savor at least some of that delicious fruit yourself!

If you’d like to protect a portion of your paw paw harvest, you might consider adding some squirrel- and deer-deterrent measures. Options like protective netting around the fruit clusters or using humane repellents can be quite effective. You might also try squirrel baffles on nearby trees or pole supports to keep the squirrels from climbing up. For deer, Installing motion-activated sprinklers or barrier fencing can sometimes discourage visits.

We love seeing you bridge that connection with nature while still enjoying your plants’ rewards. Please feel free to reach out if you want ideas on specific deterrents for your yard. Happy to help you find a good balance between sharing and savoring!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team