O-H-I-O
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) was adopted as Ohio’s state native fruit in 2009.
This designation is fitting since the Buckeye State is home to many pawpaw plantings at public parks, woodlands,
and botanical gardens. What better way to enjoy the trees year-round than visiting sites in person? The guide below highlights select spots with PRO TIPS on finding pawpaws.
Another option to track down pawpaws is iNaturalist, a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences
and the National Geographic Society. The free website and app allow users to geolocate plants and animals thanks to observations recorded in the database from contributors around the country.
In alphabetical order by city:
Columbus, OH | Franklin County
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203
PRO TIP: Pawpaw trees surround the “My Ohio Woods” area in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden.
Columbus, OH | Franklin County
Ohio Governor’s Residence and Heritage Garden
358 N Parkview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209
PRO TIP: Visit the Heritage Garden behind the residence.
Dayton, OH | Montgomery County
Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark
6733 N Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH 45449
PRO TIP: Visit the Ruth Cummings Mead Woodland for two groves of pawpaw plantings behind the arboretum.
Kirtland, OH | Lake County
9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094
PRO TIP: Home to Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden, you can find pawpaw trees at the Hershey Children’s Garden and Woodland Garden.
Milford, OH | Clermont County
4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
PRO TIP: Explore the trails around the Outdoor Learning Center near Krippendorf Lodge and nearby Long Branch Farm.
London, OH | London County
690 Arbuckle Road NW, London, OH 43140
PRO TIP: Located at The Ohio State University’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, the grounds include a pawpaw plantation.
Newark, OH | Licking County
7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark, OH 43056
PRO TIP: Hop on the auto tour and explore Glacier Ridge to find cultivated trees and native woodland patches.
Westerville, OH | Franklin County
6911 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, OH 43081
PRO TIP: Hike along the Edward Thomas Trail.
Wooster, OH | Wayne County
2122 Williams Road, Wooster, OH 44691
PRO TIP: Look for Gayle’s Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden to find pawpaw trees.
Yellow Springs, OH | Clinton County
405 Cory Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
PRO TIP: Listen to this clip from 91.3 WYSO featuring George Bieri, former Glen Helen Nature Preserve naturalist.