When to plant pawpaw trees depends on your zone. In Zones 5 and 6, plant in early spring once the soil can be dug, around budbreak. In Zones 7 and 8, plant dormant bare-root pawpaws in late fall or early spring. TN Nursery ships bare-root pawpaw seedlings from mid-November through December and from March to mid-April.
This is TN Nursery's order and shipping help site, run by TN Nursery, the third-generation family nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, growing native trees and plants since 1959. This guide lines up when our dormant, bare-root Pawpaw Trees ship with the best time to plant them in your zone. It then walks you through the first steps after the box arrives.
When to plant pawpaw trees in Zones 5 to 8
TN Nursery's pawpaws are hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8. The colder your zone, the more spring planting matters. Purdue Extension advises transplanting in spring after budbreak, not in fall or winter. Farther south, NC State Extension says to plant while the tree is dormant, in either fall or early spring. The table turns that into a plan for each zone. Months are typical; your own last frost and soil conditions come first.
| Zone | Best planting window | When to order from TN Nursery |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | Early spring once the soil can be dug, around budbreak (often April) | Order in winter for a spring ship (March to mid-April) |
| Zone 6 | Early spring once the soil can be dug, around budbreak (often late March to April) | Order in winter for a spring ship (March to mid-April) |
| Zone 7 | Late fall while dormant, or early spring | Order in early fall for a late-fall ship (mid-November to December), or in winter for spring |
| Zone 8 | Late fall while dormant, or early spring | Order in early fall for a late-fall ship (mid-November to December), or in winter for spring |
Tip: Not sure? Spring is the safer choice in every zone. A spring-planted pawpaw has a full growing season to settle its roots before its first winter.
When TN Nursery ships dormant bare-root pawpaws
Most TN Nursery plants ship bare-root and dormant. Our shipping page lists two seasons for the whole nursery: spring from early March through May, and fall from early October through December. Our Pawpaw Tree Seedlings are dug fresh only from November 15 to April 15, so in practice bare-root pawpaws ship from mid-November through December and from March to mid-April. Ship times can vary with your zone and the weather, and we may hold an order during extreme heat or cold. Orders usually take 2 to 7 business days to process, longer in peak season.
- Pawpaw Tree: single trees in heights from 1-2 feet up to 4-5 feet, plus a 1-gallon container size. Plan on at least two trees, since pawpaws need a partner to set fruit.
- Pawpaw Tree Seedlings: packs of 100 bare-root seedlings at 6-12, 12-18 or 18-24 inches, for orchard rows, habitat restoration and wildlife plantings.
Our live arrival guarantee covers plants damaged in transit or that fail to thrive within the first 48 hours of arrival. Contact us right away with photos, as the shipping page explains.
What to do when your bare-root pawpaws arrive
A dormant pawpaw arrives as bare stems and roots, with no leaves. That is normal. The long taproot is the part to protect: NC State Extension notes it is easily damaged at planting.
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Open the box the day it arrives
Check that the roots are still damp. If they look dry, mist them and keep them out of sun and wind.
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Soak the roots for an hour
Set the roots in a bucket of water for about an hour before planting, as the Pawpaw Tree page recommends.
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Dig deep, not just wide
Make the hole deep enough for the full taproot to hang straight down. Do not bend, coil or trim it to fit.
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Plant at the same depth
Set the tree at the depth it grew, backfill with the native soil and firm it gently to remove air pockets.
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Water and mulch
Water well, then spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch, kept a few inches off the stem. Keep the soil evenly moist through the first season.
Care and keeping: Can't plant the same day? Keep the roots wrapped and moist in a cool, shaded spot, and plant within a few days.
Shade young pawpaws through the first summer
If you are already planting pawpaws, these TN Nursery natives ship in the same spring and fall seasons and can go in the ground in the same planting session.
- Shade cloth on a frame: stretch it over a tomato cage or stakes set around the tree.
- A board on the south side: a simple option our seedling page suggests for the first summer.
- Remove it gradually: once the tree has put on a season or two of growth, take the shade away so it can move toward full sun.
How far apart to plant pawpaw trees
Space backyard pawpaws 8 to 15 feet apart, the range NC State Extension gives. Pawpaws need a partner for fruit: Purdue Extension explains that a flower does not pollinate itself, so other flowers must be nearby. Alabama Extension recommends at least two genetically different trees with overlapping bloom.
- Two trees in a yard: 8 to 15 feet apart, in the same planting so their flowers open close together.
- Orchard rows of seedlings: 8 feet apart, as our seedling page suggests.
- Natural thickets: 4 to 6 feet apart for a dense, wild-looking stand.
Natives that ship in the same dormant season
If you are already planting pawpaws, these TN Nursery natives also ship bare-root and can go in the ground in the same planting session.
- Eastern Redbud Tree: a flowering native tree, offered in sizes from 1-2 feet to 3-4 feet. For larger plantings, Eastern Redbud Seedlings come as bare-root bundles in packs of 50 or more.
- Witch Hazel: a yellow-flowering native shrub, offered at 1-2 feet and 2-3 feet.
- Diospyros Virginiana - American Persimmon Seedlings: another native fruit tree, sold as bare-root seedlings in packs of 100 or 500.
Pawpaw planting questions
At what age does a pawpaw tree produce fruit?
Expect fruit about 4 to 8 years after planting, per NC State Extension. Purdue Extension puts it at about five to seven years, and our seedling page lists 5 to 8 years. Planting two trees, shading them the first summer and keeping the soil evenly moist all help a young pawpaw reach fruiting size.
How close do pawpaw trees need to be to pollinate?
Plant at least two genetically different pawpaws 8 to 15 feet apart. NC State Extension notes that pawpaws are pollinated by beetles and flies, so trees planted close together give those insects a short trip between flowers. Purdue Extension adds that a flower does not pollinate itself, so other pawpaw flowers must be nearby.
When should you plant pawpaw trees in Georgia?
Most of Georgia falls in Zones 7 and 8, so you have two windows. Plant dormant bare-root pawpaws in late fall or in early spring before the trees leaf out. Order in early fall for a late-fall ship, or in winter for a spring ship, and shade the young trees through their first summer.
