No direct, unambiguous "author" was found in open sources. The name Estill appears in academic posters/research (Kentucky State University) and in the Master Cultivar List, indicating it is a recognized selection among researchers and enthusiasts, but its origin (who first found/isolated it) is not detailed online.
Sugar Content (°Brix): In a comparative study of 16 varieties/selections, Estill was in the group with higher Brix values (one of the top varieties for sweetness). This means Estill fruits are likely very sweet when fully ripe. Firmness: The same research noted that Estill had the lowest firmness during harvest (i.e., the fruits were the softest among tested varieties at harvest). This is an important practical observation — delicate fruits imply a shorter shelf life and require careful picking/transport.
Taste: In informal reports and discussions (communities, Reddit, forums), Estill is described as having a "very wild pawpaw taste" — meaning a strong/wild (typical "forest-wild") flavor profile, possibly with bright, intense notes that some find attractive and others find too pronounced. Texture: soft, creamy, typical for pawpaws, but with an emphasis on tenderness (from the low firmness research).
Precise data on average fruit weight or yield (kg/tree) are limited in open sources, though 163–212 g is mentioned. KSU research and other mentions include Estill in the context of taste and physicochemical tests but do not provide systematic size/yield measurements.
Estill falls under general pawpaw recommendations: USDA zones 5–9, need for cross-pollination (at least one other variety nearby), preference for rich, deep, well-drained soils and protected micro-climates (partial shade for young trees, full sun for adults). Specific hardiness indicators for Estill are not available; general species norms should be followed.
Open sources do not indicate specific diseases or increased vulnerability for Estill compared to other varieties. General pawpaw problems (leaf spot in wet years, local pests) remain relevant.
Estill is mentioned in master cultivar registries and scientific tables (meaning the clone is known and likely preserved in some collections), but easily accessible online cards from major nurseries selling Estill as a widely available product were not found.
Exact origin (who exactly isolated/registered Estill) — there is no clear authorial link in online sources. Systematic fruit weight (g) and average yield (kg/tree) data — these figures are absent from open publications. Commercial variety cards in nurseries (detailed descriptions, ripened fruit photos in nursery catalogs) — not found in general retail.