Imhoof, Natalie, Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, imhoofn@susqu.edu; Wilson, Matthew J., Department of Biology and Freshwater Institute, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, wilsonmatt@susqu.edu.
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a temperate fruit bearing tree with other related genera in the tropics. Pawpaws can grow in deciduous forests and are most successful in moist soils with a pH between 5.4-7.0. With this species being native to eastern North America and most successful in USDA Zone 5, pawpaws could be effective to integrate into riparian buffers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This tree also acts as a food source for people and animals like racoons, squirrels, and opossums across its native range. There has been extensive research on fruit production in cultivated orchards, however there is little research of fruit production in wild type pawpaws. To learn more about wild type pawpaws we investigated two pawpaw sites and collected the diameter at breast height (DBH), height, clustering of fruit production, fruit quantity, and dimensions of the ripe fruit. We found a relationship between the DBH and tree height with fruit quantity. While our data showed a relationship between fruit yield and height, previous research found no relationship. Other research has also shown wide variability in other orchard-based fruits, such as apples, in tree height and fruit quantity. Our research could help identify best practices for planting pawpaws in riparian buffers for both restoration and fruit production.
multifunctional buffer, ecosystem services, natural capital