Care should be taken not to plant trees when soil is too dry or wet. Hole drilling in wet, clayish soils will result in glazing of the hole walls which may impede root penetration into the soil. Preplant soil tests are desirable in order to make necessary amendments. Trees should be planted such that the soil line of the pot is even with the soil line of the field. It is essential that seedlings receive adequate water in the year of establishment.
Pawpaw trees establish and grow best when they are given shelter the first year in the field.
This is reliably accomplished by utilizing tree shelters that are used in reforestation. Weed control is necessary especially in the establishment year. Fertilizer application can be accomplished by broadcasting granular fertilizer in spring. Fertigation with liquid fertilizer can be useful if drip irrigation is installed in the orchard. Fertilizer recommendations based on foliar and soil analyses will be developed in the future.