Pawpaw tree, Asimina triloba
 
Pawpaws are small understory trees of the Carolinian forest. They have long, light green, tropical-looking leaves that turn yellow in fall and big maroon-coloured flowers that bloom in spring before the tree leaves out. After 7-8 years, they bear the most delicious, huge fruit, reminiscent of mango, banana, and guava. Pawpaws are part of the custard apple family. 
Note: Unripe fruits and the seeds are poisonous, as are all other parts of the plants. Fruits are ripe when soft.
 
Pawpaws are self-incompatible, meaning that to produce fruit, you need two genetically different plants. Any two plants grown from seed, not from root cuttings, are genetically different. Our pawpaws are grown from seed.
 
Ecology:
Pawpaw is the host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly and many moth species. 
Flies and beetles pollinate the maroon flowers.
 
Growing conditions:
As an understory tree, pawpaws do well in part shade but will tolerate almost full shade and need to be in a wind-protected site. They can grow in full sun once mature. Pawpaws prefer moist, well-drained soil.
 
To cultivate rich, moist living soil, leave a layer of leaves or mulch on the soil, or best, plant lots of plants to cover the ground. A living mulch, meaning plants transfer the sun's energy, which is converted into sugars through photosynthesis, by pumping about 50% of the sugars into the soil to feed the soil organisms. The soil organisms, in turn, feed the plants with minerals and water, and build the soil structure that plants prefer.
 
Pawpaws are juglone-tolerant and can grow close to black walnut trees.