The business of spring is reproduction. Pawpaw flowers open at the same time as the trees start to leaf out. The dormant buds look like tiny pieces of fur, and the flowers remain surprisingly furry as they expand.
The leaves are not yet full size, but the flowers are already in business. They smell of rot and dissolution, and attract flies who inadvertently pollinate them as they buzz around.
Eventually, the petals and fruit with unfertilized seeds fall off and the remaining fruit starts to grow. In the photograph below, scars are visible where two fruits fell off—one on each side of the uppermost pawpaw.
The fruit will mature near the end of September, although there may be pilfering in midsummer by thirsty or greedy creatures.