Carya illinoinensis

Common Names

Pecan, Pecan Tree, Hardy Pecan, Sweet Pecan, Illinois Nut Tree, Illinois Nut, Pecan Nut, Pecan Hickory

Summary

Carya illinoinensis, commonly known as pecan, is a large North American native deciduous tree that typically reaches 70–100 ft in height and 40–75 ft in width, with a uniform broad oval crown and a long trunk. Leaves are imparipinnate with 9–17 lanceolate leaflets that are dark green above and paler underneath, turning yellow in fall; flowers are inconspicuous with male catkins and female spikes on the same tree, and the nut develops in a thin husk that splits to reveal a sweet, edible kernel. The tree is wind-pollinated and monoecious, often requiring cross-pollination from different cultivars for reliable nut production, and a deep taproot can make transplantation difficult. For cultivation, plant in full sun on fertile, well-drained soils in USDA zones 5–9, with ample space (about 40–70 ft apart); cross-pollination among Type I and Type II pollinizers is recommended for better nut set, and propagation is commonly by grafting or budding to ensure true-to-type cultivars. Establishment requires persistent irrigation, roughly 10–15 gallons per week for 2–3 years, and ongoing moisture management with fertilization and micronutrients such as zinc; prune to develop a central leader and strong branching angles, and monitor for pests and diseases including pecan scab, aphids, pecan weevils, twig girdlers, and fall webworms. Nut harvest occurs in fall when husks split, nuts can be stored; uses include edible nuts and wood for furniture and flooring, making it a prominent landscape and agricultural tree in large properties and ornamental plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

70-100 feet

Spread

480-900 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial sun or partial shade.

Soil Type

Deep, fertile, well-drained, moist loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

No single ideal; best at 6–7; tolerates acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring (March to May)

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, often golden yellow, with occasional pale orange or yellow-brown tones

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate growth overall, with rapid early growth; about 2–4 feet of terminal growth per year in young trees, and about 3 feet per year for seedlings under favorable conditions.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Grafting or Budding, Transplanting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies