The Two-Ton Bet: How a Tennessee Nursery is Growing a Pawpaw Revolution
There is a small but important endeavor going on amid the rolling hills of Altamont, Tennessee.As the crisp autumn air of October 2025 settles over the Cumberland Plateau, the team at TN Nursery is undertaking a project of historic scale: planting two tons of pawpaw tree seeds. This isn't corn or soybeans. This is a calculated bet on the future of a uniquely American fruit—the pawpaw. The goal? To germinate over four million pawpaw saplings by 2026, solidifying the nursery's position as the world's largest producer and cementing the comeback of America's forgotten fruit.
A Taste of Americana: The Pawpaw Renaissance
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a horticultural wonder for people who don't know.This is the biggest fruit that grows naturally in North America. It has a rich, creamy texture and a tropical flavor that people often say is a mix of banana, mango, and pineapple. 1 For hundreds of years, Native Americans and early European settlers relied on this "custard apple" as a main food source. 2 But as industrial farming and fruits bred for long-distance transportation grew, the soft, quick-to-ripen pawpaw fell out of favor and became less well-known, mostly among foragers and people who remembered it from their childhoods.
Today, that is rapidly changing. The local food movement, a revitalized interest in native plants, and the permaculture philosophy are just a few of the things that have led to a rise in the popularity of pawpaws.Chefs love how it tastes in desserts, while homesteaders love how tough it is and how little care it needs to grow. The problem? Decades of obscurity meant that supply has struggled to keep up with the explosive new demand. Finding a pawpaw tree, let alone enough to start a small orchard, has been a challenge. TN Nursery’s project is not just a response to this demand; it's a definitive solution.
The Nursery Behind the Numbers
People who know TN Nursery won't be surprised by this big project.The nursery has been known for decades for growing a wide range of tough, high-quality native plants, trees, and shrubs. It is located in the center of Tennessee. 4Their work has always been about more than just making money. They have a profound awareness of the area's environment and a goal to protect and promote American plants.
By committing to this massive pawpaw planting, the nursery is leveraging its extensive experience to make a long-term investment in the nation's biodiversity. "This isn't just about selling trees," says the nursery's lead grower. "It's about reintroducing a piece of our natural heritage back into the landscape. It's about ensuring that a generation from now, the pawpaw is as common in a backyard garden as an apple tree." This project aims to transform the pawpaw from a niche novelty into a mainstream staple.
From Seed to Sapling: A Monumental Task
It's hard to plant two tons of anything.To plant two tons of pawpaw seeds, you need to be very careful and follow scientific rules.The 40,000 pounds of seeds that are being planted in carefully prepared beds at TN Nursery won't just sprout on their own.To break their natural dormancy, pawpaw seeds need to be stratified in a cold, wet place for a while.
This procedure is like what happens in nature when seeds fall to the ground in the fall and stay dormant under the leaves all winter. The nursery is exploiting the Tennessee winter as a natural, large-scale germination chamber by planting now, in the fall of 2025.The awakening will start when spring arrives in 2026. The fields will turn into a sea of green, full of the promise of almost four million new trees.This thorough knowledge of plant biology is what makes industrial-scale horticulture different from regular gardening and is the key to the project's success.
This massive supply will serve a diverse market, ranging from individual hobbyists seeking a single tree to commercial farmers planning multi-acre orchards. By drastically increasing the availability of pawpaw saplings, TN Nursery is poised to single-handedly create new opportunities in American agriculture, making the dream of a pawpaw patch accessible to all.
The Pawpaw Tree is one that US Presidents have grown
The two-ton bet for pawpaw trees in Altamont is more than just a business decision; it’s a declaration. It’s a statement that America’s native fruits deserve a place at our tables and in our yards. As these millions of seeds rest over the coming winter, they hold the potential for a richer, more flavorful, and more diverse American landscape.
FAQs
What is a pawpaw tree?
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the biggest fruit that grows naturally in North America. It makes fruits that taste like a blend of banana, mango, and pineapple and are creamy and tropical.
Why are pawpaw trees important?
Pawpaw trees are an important component of America's natural history. They feed animals, help keep biodiversity high, and are great for low-maintenance, sustainable farming.
Where can I buy pawpaw trees?
You may get pawpaw trees straight from TN Nursery, which is one of the biggest producers of native plants in the U.S. They sell healthy pawpaw saplings that are ready to be planted in home gardens and orchards.
When is the best time to buy and plant pawpaw trees?
The optimum time to buy and plant pawpaw trees is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cool and the soil is just right for the roots to flourish.
Why did Pawpaws lose popularity?
When industrial farming started to focus on fruits that could be carried large distances, they fell out of favor.
