Pecan
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The hardy pecan, Carya illinoinensis, is a giant deciduous lowland tree in the hickory family. With a large rounded crown, it typically grows 75-100 feet tall. When mature, trunks measure between 2-4' in diameter. Native to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Alabama, this species is mainly found along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. There are 9-17 pointed leaflets on each leaf of pecan, each being a medium green, odd-pinnate compound. The leaflets range in length from 2 to 7 inches. In the summer, leaves mature to yellow-green; in the fall, they turn yellow-brown.
Flowers are non-showy, monoecious, and greenish yellow in April-May. Male flowers are in drooping catkins, while female flowers appear in short spikes. The female flowers produce sweet, edible nuts. When the nuts are ripe in the fall, they split into four sections. American pecans are one of the most important commercial nut crops. Commercial pecan plantings are primarily found in the South, from North Carolina to Florida to Arizona and California. Various cultivars are available.
It grows best in humusy, rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Due to its deep taproot, it is difficult to transplant. To achieve the best cross-pollination, plant two different varieties of growing nuts. The northern parts of its growing range can be sparsely populated with nuts, especially when spring comes late and summer is cool. It may be grown from seed, but a young tree usually does not bear nuts for 8-10 years.
Height: 75’-100’
Spread 40’-70’
Bloom: April-May
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Iowa and Indiana south to Texas and Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
