The other strong contender to pawpaw for the title of native North American fig is the (American) persimmon. In major ways, persimmon is a stronger contender for the continental fig title than is pawpaw. The size, shape, look, edible skin – and arguably texture and taste – of persimmon fruit is more similar to fig… Continue reading Lessons of the Fig #3: Persimmon

“With leaves and branches that deer avoid, and fruit that is loved by all, the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a fascinating native tree. It’s the only local member of a large, mainly-tropical plant family (Annonaceae), and produces the largest edible fruit native to North America. Despite being a small, understory tree, unlikely to ever grow… Continue reading Lessons of the Fig #2: Pawpaw

Figs are rampant growers and precocious fruiters. This fig was photoed mid-March Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, growing on the strip in full leaf while few others trees were yet to leaf out. The main trunk pictured is about 8 inches in diameter. The tree-shrub is about 10-15 feet tall. What fruit shrub or tree in… Continue reading Lessons of the Fig #1: Black Elderberry

A very mild February brings out the blossoms of edible blue honeysuckle (honeyberry), Nanking cherry, and Japanese plums – also elderberry leaves. Elderberry seems to be the first berry bush to leaf out (with honeyberry) and the last to bloom, while honeyberry seems the first to bloom (with Nanking cherry).

Great overviews of cold hardy fruit & nut trees, shrubs, and vines, groundcovers, brambles by the Calgary Horticultural Society: TREES SHRUBS VINES, GROUNDCOVERS, BRAMBLES

Medlar ripening on the tree.

Allegheny pawpaw was pursued and discovered by WVU grad Neal Peterson. Texture of banana whip, flavor of mango-banana. Almost like warm ice cream, or custard, a light fruity flavor like a slushie but more full, more fruitful. Pawpaw is the largest edible tree fruit native to North America. This fruit I found in the grass… Continue reading Allegheny Pawpaw

Sunroot is a perennial sunflower. First blooms this year September 3rd.

3 buck and 7 doe come to munch the elderberry but reluctant to eat much of the goumi.

These fruits were more sweet than tart, about the size of pin cherry, and darker. Black cherry trees are commonly grown or harvested for timber, while the birds love the tasty fruit.