Pawpaw Patch

During one of our hikes I came across this patch of Pawpaw trees. I enjoy it when I come across these trees, as they dominate with their large leaves in the under story of the forest.

The autumn brings out the best when they display their bright yellow leaves.

In our time we can bring out the best when we display the glory of God to others.

Paw Paw Bud

These buds are common in the forest understory in the Midwest hardwood forest.

Psalm 119:89 "Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled in heaven."

Psalm 119:92 "If Your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction."

Psalm 119:97 "O how I love Our law!

It is my meditation all the day."

Psalm 119:103 "How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet

 and a light to my path."

Psalm 119:116 "Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;

And to don let me be ashamed of my hope."

Psalm 119:130 "The unfolding of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple."

Psalm 119:133 "Establish my footsteps in Your word.

And to not let any iniquity have dominion over me."

Psalm 119:148 "My eyes anticipate the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word."

Psalm 119:160 "The sum of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting."

Psalm 119:162 "I rejoice in Your word, 

as one who finds great spoil."

Psalm 119:165 "Those who love Your law have great peace,

And nothing causes them to stumble."

Sunlight on Pawpaw leaves

The large leaves of this Pawpaw sapling are receiving a bunch of sunlight. I find it interesting to see the different shades of green by the amount of sunlight the leaves receive.

I was looking for these leaves to have already turned yellow. Instead I get a green leaf photo. Many of the leaves have already fallen so more light is getting in.

This tree will never grow like an oak or maple. It is not made for that. It is happy, so to speak, to grow under the forest canopy of the giants.

Our growth at times is limited by the amount of light we receive. And other times our growth is limited by our ability to use what we receive. We grow in God as we position ourselves to receive from Him and rid our life of things that waste our time to hear and grow.

Ephesians 5:15-17 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Father, I give you my day to use for You. I listen for Your direction. So it will be in Jesus name.

Thicket of Paw Paw trees

Here is a thicket of Paw Paws. They are in the foreground looking like a tall bush. Often they will spread from suckers growing from the roots. This is what this stand of trees seems to have done. There is a creek on the other side of this stand of trees.

This thicket of Paw Paws has been there for a while and I enjoy going by there to see them. A Paw Paw by itself would be hardly noticed but the thicket is noticeable.

Psalm 46:5-7
"God has ascended with a shout,
The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with a skillful psalm."

Father, I praise you for Your work and life you show us and give us.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

Pawpaws grow in understories and along slopes and in bottom land. The leaves are 6-12” long leaves. One of the biggest leaves grown by trees in the US. They turn bright yellow in Autumn. And stay on the trees for a while. The tree normally does not attain much height. It has been said to grow up to 20 feet. I measured one at 21 feet.

The fruit is interesting and is said to be edible. Tasting somewhat like a banana.

“Picking up Pawpaws, putting them in a basket.”

Settlers used them for banana pie and banana bread. (Note some people have an allergic reaction to them.)

The buds are long brown, fuzzy and without scales.

The tree will produce suckers from roots, explaining why they occur in bunches at times. The wood is stringy, and Indians used this tree to weave fiber cloth.

The trees don't get big. This is a Pawpaw stem.

Pawpaw

I don't see Paw paw trees growing tall often. These are over 15' tall. This is usually an understory tree. The diameter of these trees were all under 2". It is reported that the tree seldom reaches a height of over 20'.

New Growth Paw paw

New Growth Paw paw.

Tall Pawpaw Trees

I had seen these trees a year ago and was going slowly down the road to recognize them again. I found them and got these photos. Their height warrants a return for a good measurement. I estimate they are 5" diameter and 25' tall and that is the max height they are supposed to get.

Pawpaw Fall Color

It is interesting as I walk further into the woods the Paw paws get more yellow. They are the undergrowth trees with the large oblong leaves. This was probably the best day for color which was the 2nd of November. As I remember in the past the best day in these parts would be the middle of October. Anyway I was glad to be out and getting a few photos.

Tall Paw Paw in Fall Color

Driving on a back road I saw these Paw paw in Fall color. I don't usually see Paw paw this tall. They usually grow under other trees.

Basswood and Paw Paw Trees

Above is a canopy of Basswood and below is Paw Paw saplings in the understory. The trees in the background that are winding around each other are Basswood trees.




Psalm 119:2
"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart."

Pawpaw Flowers

Psalm 68:5,6
"A Father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

Fruit and New Growth of Pawpaw

Photos taken the last week of April


Psalm 96:5,6
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Pawpaw / Asimina triloba

These yellow leaves are Papaws. These trees produce suckers coming up from roots, creating a thicket understory in many woods around where I live.

Fallen Pawpaw Leaves

Hiking back to my work truck after lunch break, I came upon this group of Pawpaw leaves. Their size causes them to dominate the forest floor. They range from 6" to 12" long. These were closer to the 12" size. Here is the Missouri fact sheet on this tree.

Pawpaws and Bitternut hickory in the rain

I hiked in the rain Saturday. I did not make it to the glade. That will have to be another day. The trail along a power line and will be good for more exploration especially on a bicycle. What was neat about the hike I thought there would be a creek with a lot of water flowing by the sound. But it was just the rain hitting the leaves.

The trail wound around a draw and followed the power line for a while. I took a photo of some Pawpaw which are a beautiful understory tree in the fall. The orange tree behind the Pawpaw was a Bitternut hickory.

On the way back I forgot the trail looped around the draw and became disoriented. But Molly my dog knew the way.

Hiking in the rain brings a different element to the hike. Instead of hearing you footsteps you hear rain pattering against the leaves.

Pawpaw trees and a mighty Bur oak