Troubleshooting
Pawpaw 'Shenandoah' problems — and how to fix them
Pawpaw 'Shenandoah' (Asimina triloba 'Shenandoah') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
No fruit set
Self-incompatible and fly/beetle-pollinated; plant a second cultivar and hand-pollinate in cool springs to ensure a crop.
Transplant shock
The fragile taproot dislikes disturbance; plant small container or grafted trees young and water in well to avoid setback.
Sun scorch on young trees
Seedlings are shade-obligate at first; shade for the first year or two before exposing to full sun.
Suckering
Forms thickets from root suckers; remove unwanted shoots annually to keep a single-trunk tree.
Prevent pawpaw 'shenandoah' problems before they start
Most pawpaw 'shenandoah' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for pawpaw 'shenandoah' in general rather than its problems? Read the full pawpaw 'shenandoah' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Pawpaw 'Shenandoah' problems — FAQ
Why is my pawpaw 'shenandoah' no fruit set?
Self-incompatible and fly/beetle-pollinated; plant a second cultivar and hand-pollinate in cool springs to ensure a crop.
Why is my pawpaw 'shenandoah' transplant shock?
The fragile taproot dislikes disturbance; plant small container or grafted trees young and water in well to avoid setback.
Why is my pawpaw 'shenandoah' sun scorch on young trees?
Seedlings are shade-obligate at first; shade for the first year or two before exposing to full sun.
Why is my pawpaw 'shenandoah' suckering?
Forms thickets from root suckers; remove unwanted shoots annually to keep a single-trunk tree.