Paw Paws?

[Gsulfridge]

can you make a bow out of its wood?

Good question.  Just judging by its green characteristics, I'd say it is a poor choice.  But, having never tried it, who knows?  It rarely gets big enough down here to have stave size logs, but a sapling bow might be possible.  Someone on here may have tried it.

[TRACY]

I liked this quote from Wikipedia

"Ohio botanist William B. Werthner noted that

The fruit ... has a tangy wild-wood flavor peculiarly its own. It is sweet, yet rather cloying to the taste and a wee bit puckery – only a boy can eat more than one at a time.[4]"

Accurate quote. Can't eat them like I did as a kid

[mullet]

Hey, can someone post a picture of a Paw Paw? I want to see if it's what we call Gopher apples.

[Josh B]

Different fruit all together Eddie.  I tried a sapling bow from it.  I didn't have any luck.  The wood is softer and lighter than catalpa.  It folded up like a cheap suit. Josh

[Zuma]

I talked today to folks I turned on to the VA Papaya
They say banner year here. I checked a few local trees and they
have fruit aboard and on the ground. Lots.
Here is a better discription. I don't think there will ever be two the same.
lol Zuma

[Josh B]

Although papaya's are sometimes referred to as paw paws, I don't think those are the paw paws that Greg is talking about.  I could be wrong of course.  Josh

[Zuma]

Doc, You are not wrong.
The paw paw is a relative to the southern papaya.
Most folks know Papaya  few know our secret.
Your photos are exactly what I am talkin about.
I'm a Hillwilliam so I use Virginia Papaya. I removed the link.lol
Zuma
Oh BTW folks have always told me they are almost impossible
 to propagate. They are not. At least I have very good luck by
taking half or whole very over ripe fruit and digging them in the same
fall. Of course where it is wet. River bank/stream/creek silt.
Just the way they do it naturally.

[Gsulfridge]

Your pics are spot on Gun Doc.  I went back yesterday and got two grocery bags full.  My boss at work said his wife will make us some pawpaw bread.  Mmm.

[Josh B]

I thought I was gonna be headed to your neck of the woods today Greg.  Was planning on trying to swindle you out of some paw paw seeds to plant down by my creek.  We haven't had any paw paws in my immediate area since I was a kid.  Unfortunately, the dispatcher told me wrong.  I'm headed down by Jackson instead of Jacksboro.  Oh well.  Lol!  Paw paw nut bread sounds pretty darn good to me!  Josh

[Gsulfridge]

PM me your address Josh and I'll set you up.

[Zuma]

I posted in what goes around at 1.05pm that I was going paw paw gettin.
It's a different time on the site than EST.
It's now 2.52 on the site and I am back from gettin.
This time includes hip boots on and off, change clothes
and  drive to and from the river. Wade the river to the
 island and start gettin. lol
keep those recipies comming.
Zuma
Oh the bucket is a least 10 gallons

[Outbackbob48]

Don't know if PawPaw wood will make a bow but makes excellent hearth board and spindle for bowdrill fire starting. We don't have them here but  80 miles south of us have a few along the Alleghany. Bob

[Zuma]

Bob it's something I learned at the Ridge.
Kinda counter intuitive but if it grows by the water
it makes fire the best. We have some pretty big trees here.
Doubt I would sacrifice one for a bow?
Different story after a flood or construction. I'll keep my eyes open.
Zuma

[Outbackbob48]

Don,  great your trying the bow drill. I have great confidence in bow drill but have been working on my hand drill all summer an it is kicking my butt, I  can get a coal with horseweed on cedar one time and 4 hrs later with same combo only smoke Just not consist. Later Bob

[Josh B]

Thanks Greg!  PM sent.  Josh