North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Chris Garriss <cgarriss@garriss.net>]

I tried growing (unsuccessfully) the Koreans about 15 years ago.  My 
trees did not grow well and eventually died.  As for the Paw Paw the 
only reference I know of about the seeds is at 
http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/asi.tri.htm (commercial site 
selling native seeds with which I have no affiliation), and which says 
the seeds should never be eaten.  I have also read, but cannot remember 
where that the tree produces a natural insecticide in leaves and bark, 
that may have some toxicity, and compounds from the bark and leaves are 
being experimented with for anti cancer drugs.  My understanding is that 
it is one of the few shrub / small trees deer will not browse.

Growing up in Maryland 40 years ago I used to see occasional Paw Paw 
trees, but have seen none in NC.  I am regularly in the area near where 
you are, and while I've found a few wild (American) chestnuts (which I 
communicated to you or others in TACF a year or so ago), I've not seen 
any Paw Paws.  Do they grow in the area?

Chris Garriss

On 27.12.03 10:56 Gene Spears spoke thusly:

>         I am wondering if anyone has first-hand experience with Korean pine 
> nuts, or any of the edible pine nuts.  How productive are the trees, how 
> tasty are the nuts and how difficult are they to prepare for eating?  I'm 
> thinking of planting a few here in NW NC (zone 6 - southern ski country) but 
> would like to hear from someone who has some experience with them.
>         I'm also curious whether anyone has information on the edibility of 
> paw-paw (Asimina) seeds.  The fruit I've run across is chock full of big 
> seeds - any use for these besides making more paw-paw trees?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> gene
> spears@lmc.edu
> _______________________________________________
>