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Atwood Pawpaw (Asimina triloba 'KSU Atwood') is one of the first cultivars released by the Kentucky State University pawpaw breeding program and is renowned for its exceptional productivity. Capable of producing more than 150 fruits per tree under ideal conditions, Atwood consistently delivers very high quality, medium to large fruit with sweet, custardy flesh, and few seeds. In Blake Cothron's book, Pawpaws, in which he rates over 165 cultivars, he gives KSU Atwood an A+, saying "this is one of the author's favourite pawpaw cultivars," and noting it's excellent flavour and texture, as well as disease resistance. KSU Atwood also ripens early to mid season, which is ideal for northern gardens with shorter summers.
Pawpaws are highly prized fruit trees. Often called a “tropical fruit for the north,” pawpaws produce clusters of large, nutritious fruit 3–6 inches long with a custard-like texture and a flavour that’s been compared to mango, banana, pineapple, and even vanilla custard.
Unlike most tropical relatives in the custard apple family, pawpaws are uniquely cold-hardy (-25ºC), thriving in Zones 5–8 and capable of handling Canadian winters in many regions. Pawpaws are native to North American, including areas as far north as southern Ontario.
In nature, young pawpaw trees grow in the dappled shade of forest understories, gradually reaching into more sunlight as they mature. To mimic this, it’s best to provide shade for the tree's first 1-2 years—whether by planting behind a fence, under light tree cover, or using a temporary shade screen.
Most pawpaws require cross pollination with a different pawpaw cultivar, or a seed-grown pawpaw. Seed-grown pawpaws are all genetically unique, so you can have two seedlings pollinate each other, or one seedling and one cultivar, or two cultivars. Named cultivars are grafted and selected for their exceptional fruit quality and yield. With seed-grown pawpaws, fruit quality can vary widely.
With an ever-expanding, cult-like following, pawpaws reward growers with one of the rarest and most delicious fruits you can grow in a northern garden.
Common names: Atwood Pawpaw, Atwood Paw Paw, KSU Atwood Pawpaw, Kentucky State University Atwood Pawpaw
Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: Early to mid-season (late September - early October)
Scientific name: Asimina triloba 'KSU Atwood'
Light requirements: Shade the first 1-2 years, full sun (6+ hours) the rest of its life
Full-grown size: 12-15' tall, with a natural pyramidal shape requiring very little pruning
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with a different named cultivar or a seed-grown pawpaw.
Wildlife: Deer resistant leaves; fruit is attractive to wildlife.
Origin: Native to eastern North America. Cultivar bred by Kentucky State University.
Noteworthy: You will probably never taste one unless you grow one! The fruit bruises easily so they are not shipped to grocery stores.
