Description
Pennsylvania Golden is an early-season pawpaw selected for reliability rather than novelty and is widely grown as a dependable start to pawpaw season. It is commonly associated with selections tied to John Gordon in New York and draws from long-established Zimmerman and Slate germplasm that has been grown and evaluated for decades.
Grower reports consistently frame Pennsylvania Golden as productive and straightforward. When harvested fully ripe, fruit develops a smooth, melting texture and a classic pawpaw flavor profile that leans banana-forward with mild tropical notes. It is generally described as clean and approachable rather than intense or experimental.
Fruit size is typically medium, but trees are known for strong crop loads once established. Pennsylvania Golden is often chosen by growers who prioritize early ripening and dependable yields, especially in regions where finishing later-season pawpaws can be uncertain.
Overview
- Early-season pawpaw valued for reliability and production
- Selections linked to John Gordon (NY) with Zimmerman/Slate lineage
- Classic pawpaw flavor with smooth, melting texture at ripeness
- Medium fruit size with heavy bearing habit
- Pollination required for consistent fruit set
Growing Details
Latin Name: Asimina triloba ‘Pennsylvania Golden’ (PA-Golden)
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Not typically expressed in chill hours for pawpaws; performs best in temperate regions with warm summers
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Rootstock: Grafted onto pawpaw rootstock
Bearing Age: 3–5 years after planting
Size at Maturity: Typically 15–25 ft tall and wide; can be maintained smaller with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-spring
Ripening Time: Early within pawpaw varieties; typically Aug 25–Sept 5 in Frankfort, KY (varies by region)
Fruit Weight: Commonly ~4–7 oz (varies by season and crop load)
Seed Content: Moderate; typically ~6–8% of fruit weight (varies by season and crop load)
Texture Class: Smooth, melting custard at full ripeness
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a genetically distinct pawpaw variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and moisture management
Yield: Heavy producer once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Pennsylvania Golden is planted for timing and reliability—early ripening, steady crops, and clean, usable fruit rather than peak novelty flavor.
- Regional Insight: In cooler or shorter-season regions, Pennsylvania Golden’s early ripening makes it one of the safer pawpaws to finish consistently.
- For best eating quality, allow fruit to soften fully and become aromatic before harvest.
- Early cultivars benefit from thinning heavy crops to improve fruit size and reduce limb stress.
- Explore more pawpaw varieties in our collection: Pawpaw Trees
