Blackbrook Audubon will begin its 2018-19 season with an introduction to the pawpaw tree by Trevor Wearstler, Blackbrook’s secretary and naturalist for Geauga Park District. The pawpaw belongs to the tropical tree family of custard-apples, but is cold tolerant. It’s North America’s largest edible fruit and has a fascinating natural history. In 2009, the pawpaw became Ohio’s official native state fruit. The 20th annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival celebrates this fruit in Albany, Ohio the weekend of September 14. According to organizers, George Washington’s favorite dessert was chilled pawpaw.
This free program is open to all. Blackbrook Audubon covers Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties as the local chapter of National Audubon Society. For more information, visit blackbrookaudubon.org. Follow Blackbrook Audubon Society on Facebook.