>>2639570I live on the Paw Paw river, they grow in my yard.
I pick when they are slightly soft to the touch, shake trees. Don't shake the trees too hard, and don't be looking up when you do it. Sometimes branches and stuff fall in your face.
They do not ripen off the tree if picked too early.
You can really only pick about a day or 2 before perfectly ripe. They will have a almost fruity and perfumy smell. If you pick too early you ruined them.
If they're slightly soft like an avocado ready to be made into guac, it should be good.
You can see the big tear drop paw paw leaves here
