Susquehanna is widely considered one of the finest pawpaw cultivars available. Developed through the Kentucky State University pawpaw breeding program, it's a consistent performer in zone 5–7 orchards and produces some of the largest, best-flavored pawpaw fruit of any named variety.
At a Glance
Fruit Size
Very Large
Individual fruits commonly reach 12–16 oz; exceptional specimens can exceed 1 lb
Flavor
Exceptional
Rich tropical flavor, vanilla undertones, minimal earthiness — considered among the best-tasting cultivars
Harvest Timing
Mid-Season
Late August to mid-September in Pennsylvania zone 6
Flesh Color
Deep Yellow-Orange
Rich, dense, custardy texture at peak ripeness
Seed-to-Flesh Ratio
Favorable
Relatively few seeds for fruit size; high edible yield per fruit
Hardiness
Zone 5–8
Reliable cold hardiness; performs well in Pennsylvania winters without protection
Flavor in Detail
Susquehanna is consistently ranked at the top of blind taste tests among named pawpaw cultivars. The flavor is richer and more intense than many others — notably less of the earthy, fermented note that some wild-type or seedling trees carry. The primary notes are banana and vanilla, with a creamy sweetness and tropical finish that's closer to cherimoya or a high-quality mango than a typical domestic fruit.
Brix (sugar content) measurements on well-grown Susquehanna fruit typically run 18–22°, comparable to excellent dessert-quality fruit of any type.
Orchard Performance
- Vigor: Moderately vigorous tree; reaches 15–25 feet at maturity, manageable with light annual pruning
- Productivity: Heavy bearer at maturity; established trees can produce 50–100+ lbs per year
- Pollination partners: Allegheny, NC-1, Shenandoah, and most other named cultivars are compatible pollinators. Bloom timing overlaps well with Allegheny in our orchard.
- Disease resistance: Good. No significant issues observed in our Pennsylvania plantings.
- Suckering: Moderate suckering habit; manageable with annual removal if single-trunk form is desired
Seed note: Seeds sold on this site come from our Susquehanna trees. Seed-grown trees are not clones — each will be a genetically unique individual. They will likely perform well (the parent tree is high quality), but fruit characteristics will vary. For guaranteed Susquehanna traits, grafted trees are the right choice.
Seeds from Our Susquehanna Trees
Pre-stratified seeds harvested from our Andreas, PA orchard. Each seed is a unique individual — the genetics are good, the rest is up to your growing conditions.
Order Seeds — $15 per 10 Seeds