Transplant paw paw 5 years ago still 2 ft tall

Did I do something to make this not grow when I moved these trees from one home to another 5 years ago? They are the same size as when I moved them.

At least they're still alive. I have had no luck trying to transplant wild paw paws so far. Hope you can get an answer to why they don't get taller.

Did the soil or other growing conditions change much? Shade, year round moisture level of soil. According to the Conservation Dept here in MO, they like full shade in low, moist areas. Dark swamp sort of thing.

Also, there's a saying - $200 hole for a $20 tree - that is digging an oversized hole so that the roots will have loosened soil to stretch out into for a number of years.

John Pollard wrote:Did the soil or other growing conditions change much? Shade, year round moisture level of soil. According to the Conservation Dept here in MO, they like full shade in low, moist areas. Dark swamp sort of thing.

Also, there's a saying - $200 hole for a $20 tree - that is digging an oversized hole so that the roots will have loosened soil to stretch out into for a number of years.

mlm

Yes from loam to heavy clay. I dug a huge hole and filled with a clay and compost mix. The area is partially shaded and damper than the rest of the 3 acres although we have summer droughts.