Brandon7 writes: "I can't imagine why maintaining them in pots would be preferable to growing in-ground" In my experience I've found that pawpaws are more adversely affected by shipping bare-root than many other types of fruit trees - it appears that their root systems, consisting of many fine rootlets are more vulnerable to the various stresses inherent in this process, and transplantation shock to a greater or less degree is the rule. The focus should be to prevent, or if necessary, to decrease the severity of the shock. So buying container grown plants shipped in their container would be best; these can be planted directly in the ground with good results. But if the tree is sent bare-root, there will of necessity be root damage and transplantation shock, and this setback can reduce the vigor of the plant for years. The best remedy I've found to lessen the shock is to provide an optimal environment for the stressed and damaged roots to allow quick recovery. This goal is much better achieved in a pot, where growing conditions, including most importantly the medium and the moisture content, are more readily controlled. It really makes no sense to plant a struggling shocked pawpaw in topsoil with resultant loss of many of the damaged roots and prolongation of the shock state. The focus here is on the short term problem of allowing roots damaged by bare-rooting to recover; once this has occurred, evidenced by vigorous vegetative growth, the tree is ready for planting in the garden.

@mfowler- THANK YOU!! This is so incredibly helpful. Hubby and I are actually discussing using the Stone Creek plan, but modifying it to look like Shook Hill on the outside; it's fun to see that someone else had the same (partially, anyway) idea! I'm also glad to see the size of Stone's family room- much better sized than Shook's. And I def prefer Shook's kitchen over Stone's. I think Mitch Ginn needs to read this thread and come up with a hybrid plan! Maybe call it Stone Hill? Shook Creek? :) Hubby and I REALLY appreciate your pictures and the time you took to post them!

Hee hee.. I made myself some circular knitting needles... don't know how it will work, but, I am laughing at myself as I write.. 1. I disconnected some #1 metal circular needles from their cord. 2. With a dremel, I shaped the other (not the knitting ends) of the needle so it would slip into a small wire tube 3. Bought some plastic pony bead stringing tubing that has a very small hole, and stuck both needles in real tight.. Voila.. a circular needle.. size 1, length 11 inches! :-) When I go to Home Depot, I'm going to look for some stiffer wire.. this tubing is sorta flimsy.. Where there's a will, there's a way! :-) Pat

Here's an unfinished one. You can order it with the Sea Grass seat, as they call it. I wonder if that term in a search would bring up more. I looked in all my usual places (target, yankee whatever, shaker something, carolina rustica, plow & hearth...) earlier today and came up with nothing. This afternoon, I remembered the unfinished sources I have seen in the past. Here is a link that might be useful: Sea Grass