American Sycamore vs Pawpaw - TreeTime.ca

American Sycamore vs Pawpaw

Platanus occidentalis

Asimina triloba

American Sycamore
Pawpaw

American Sycamore is the largest tree native to eastern North America. Generally too large and messy to be a street tree, American Sycamore thrives in large, open spaces, such as an acreage or farm.

The bark is one of the main features that draw people to this tree. The outer bark flakes off in irregular pieces to reveal an attractive white, green, and cream colored inner layer, providing winter interest.

American Sycamore has an extremely fast growth rate, gaining up to 6 ft in one year, and will easily reach its mature height in a short period of time. Be wary of this trees' root system, as it's typically very extensive and needs lots of room to expand.

The Pawpaw tree produces delicious, sweet fruit with a unique banana-mango flavor. These oblong fruits start yellowish-green and mature to a dark brown in the fall. It is best to leave them on the tree until ripe, as they do not ripen well once picked. Pawpaws can be enjoyed fresh, in baking, or in ice cream.

Pawpaws produce the largest native fruit in North America. They typically grow as a small understory tree or large shrub on wooded slopes, in ravines, and along stream banks. They often spread through root suckers, forming dense thickets over time.

For fruit production to occur more than one genetically different Pawpaw tree is required. Our Pawpaw seedlings are grown from seed so they are all genetically different.

Note: Avoid eating the seeds and skin of the Pawpaw fruit as they can cause stomach pain for some individuals. Contact with the skin of the fruit can also result in skin irritation, so it is recommended to wear gloves during harvest. Plant this tree once. Due to its large tap root transplanting is not recommended.

American Sycamore Quick Facts

Pawpaw Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $9.99 - SAVE UP TO 41%
Lowest Price: $25.99 - SAVE UP TO 13%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 23 m (75 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flavor: similar to mango or banana
Flowers: red purple
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high




Other Names: american pawpaw, custard apple, custard apple tree, indian banana, paw paw, paw-paw, wild banana