Allegheny is a named pawpaw cultivar developed through the Kentucky State University breeding program. It pairs well with Susquehanna both as a pollination partner and as a harvest complement — its slightly earlier ripening extends the orchard's productive window and ensures good cross-pollination when bloom timing overlaps.
At a Glance
Fruit Size
Medium to Large
Typically 6–12 oz per fruit; slightly smaller on average than Susquehanna
Flavor
Sweet, Mild
Banana and vanilla notes with a clean, mild sweetness; less intense than Susquehanna but very pleasant
Harvest Timing
Early to Mid-Season
Late August in Pennsylvania — typically ripens 1–2 weeks before Susquehanna
Flesh Color
Pale Yellow
Lighter color than Susquehanna; creamy, smooth texture at peak ripeness
Productivity
High
Reliable heavy cropper; tends to produce more numerous fruits vs. Susquehanna's larger individual fruits
Hardiness
Zone 5–8
Good cold hardiness; no special winter protection needed in Pennsylvania zone 6
Why Allegheny Pairs Well with Susquehanna
The Susquehanna + Allegheny pairing is what we grow at our Andreas, PA orchard, and it works well for several reasons beyond just cross-pollination compatibility:
- Extended harvest window: Allegheny ripens a week or two before Susquehanna, spreading harvest over a longer period and reducing the pressure to process everything at once
- Complementary flavor profiles: Allegheny's milder, lighter flavor offers a contrast to Susquehanna's rich intensity — variety in a tasting
- Bloom overlap: Both cultivars bloom in early to mid-April in zone 6, with enough overlap for reliable cross-pollination
- Different fruit sizes: More numerous smaller Allegheny fruits and fewer larger Susquehanna fruits give flexibility in how you use the harvest
Orchard Performance
- Tree size: Similar to Susquehanna — 15–20 feet at maturity in full sun
- Suckering: Moderate; similar management to most named cultivars
- Disease resistance: Good; no significant issues in our Pennsylvania plantings
- Pollination: Compatible with Susquehanna, NC-1, Shenandoah, and most other named cultivars
- Best use: Mixed orchard planting, particularly alongside Susquehanna for extended season and reliable cross-pollination
From our orchard: Allegheny has been a reliable producer every year. The fruit is slightly less showstopping than Susquehanna in a direct comparison, but plenty of people prefer its milder character — it's less overwhelming, easier to eat larger quantities of, and works especially well in recipes and frozen pulp applications.
Seeds from Susquehanna + Allegheny Trees
Our seed mix comes from both cultivars growing together at our Andreas orchard. Each seed grows into a genetically unique individual — naturally cross-pollinated in the orchard.
Order Seeds — $15 per 10 Seeds