Key Points
- Lineage: Isolated by John Gordon (Amherst, NY, 1982) as a high-performing selection from the original Overleese seedlots.
- Fruit Class: Produces large, symmetrical fruits (≈180–300 g) with a high uniformity of shape and color.
- Flavor Complexity: Renowned for its "excellent flavor," offering a deep sweetness characterized by vanilla, butter, and caramel notes.
- Internal Architecture: Features a high edible yield per fruit; while the seeds are large, they are relatively few in number.
- Seasonality: A mid-to-late season ripener (October in NY/PA; late September in KY), requiring a warm autumn for peak sugar development.
- Productivity: Highly prolific (heavy-bearing); mature trees produce large clusters of 4 to 6 fruits consistently.
- Texture: Characterized by an "ideal" melting consistency—soft and buttery without the grainy fiber of wild types.
- Resilience: Cold-hardy through USDA Zones 5–8; demonstrates excellent skeletal strength in temperate orchard settings.
Variety Description
Summary
SAA-Overleese is the refined heir to the Overleese dynasty. If the original Overleese is known for its size, SAA-Overleese (selected in 1982 by the legendary John Gordon) is known for its "Butter-Tutti-Frutti" elegance. It represents the perfect synergy of classic vigorous growth and the high-sugar, complex flavor profile of "Sweet Alice." For the grower who wants the reliability of a heritage giant with the dessert quality of a modern boutique variety, SAA-Overleese is the definitive choice.
Foundations and Provenance
Discovered in Amherst, NY, this selection was chosen for its ability to produce consistent, high-quality crops in the northeastern range of the genus. Its pedigree ensures a robust tree that handles the environmental stressors of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest with ease. It remains a staple in top-tier nurseries like Stark Bro’s and specialty scion collections worldwide.
Fruit Specifications: Deep and Decadent
Physical Attributes: The fruit is typically large and rounded, with trophy specimens weighing up to 400g. The skin maintains its integrity better than many other large-fruited varieties. Palette: This is a "deep flavor" pawpaw. It moves beyond simple sweetness into a rich territory of vanilla-butter and faint caramel. Texture: Frequently described by connoisseurs as "simply perfect," the flesh lacks structural fiber and possesses a density that melts away quickly on the tongue.
Orchard Productivity
Reliability: SAA-Overleese is a "worker." It produces large clusters with architectural regularity, allowing a mature tree to yield 40 to 50 significant fruits in a single season. Structural Strength: The tree branches are robust, rarely requiring the intensive propping needed for some other heavy-bearing hybrids.
Management and Logistics
Maturity Timing: Its mid-to-late season window (late September to mid-October) allows it to extend the orchard harvest. However, northern growers should ensure the tree is in a full-sun position to maximize heat units before the first freeze. Visual Monitoring: The fruit drop is predictable, allowing for efficient daily harvest during its month-long window of maturity.
Environmental Adaptation
Perfectly adapted to the temperate regions of North America and Europe. It has shown excellent resistance to skin spotting when grown in well-circulated air, ensuring the fruit remains commercially attractive and visually appealing.
Conclusion
SAA-Overleese is the variety for the serious orchardist who demands "Festival-Winning" fruit. It delivers the size, flavor, and high productivity that made the modern pawpaw famous, all while maintaining the rugged resilience of its heritage. It remains an essential cornerstone for any diverse pawpaw collection.
Breed Performance Summary
| Indicator | Cultivar Metric |
|---|---|
| Heritage Line | John Gordon Selection (Overleese Seedling, 1982) |
| Average Fruit Mass | Large (≈180–300 g) |
| Yield Intensity | Very High (Heavy-Bearing) |
| Flavor Class | "Butter-Tutti-Frutti" / Vanilla-Caramel |
| Flesh Quality | Ideal Melting Consistency / Deep-Yellow |
| Maturity window | Mid-to-Late Season (Late Sept - Oct) |
| Seed Percentage | Low (Large but few seeds) |
| Hardiness Grade | Standard Heritage (USDA 5-8) |