Pecan
Carya illinoinensis · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut Tree, Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild or Seedling Pecan
Hardiness Zones
5-9 (USDA); thrives in warm, humid climates with long growing seasons.
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived deciduous tree with a stately, rounded-to-broad spreading crown. It is the largest of the hickories, known for its rapid growth relative to other hardwoods and its valuable nut production.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, 12-20 inches long, with 9-17 sickle-shaped (falcate) leaflets. Leaflets are dark green, finely serrated, and arranged alternately on the stem with a terminal leaflet.
Bark Characteristics
Grey-brown to light brown; deeply furrowed into narrow, flat-topped, scaly ridges that may appear somewhat shaggy or plated on older specimens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Mississippi River Valley and South Central USA; highly adapted to Virginia and the Southeast.
Growing Season
Bud break in mid-spring; flowers mid-to-late spring; nuts ripen in autumn; enters dormancy after frost following a yellow fall leaf color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; requires significant water during establishment and nut development; prefers deep, moist, well-drained loamy soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height 70-100+ feet; Spread 40-75 feet; Large trunk diameter; Lifespan can exceed 300 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces edible, high-protein nuts; valuable timber used for flooring and furniture; spectacular yellow fall color; tolerant of periodic flooding.
Wildlife & Ecology
Vital food source for squirrels, crows, jays, and deer; supports over 300 species of larvae (caterpillars); provides nesting sites for large birds of prey.
Notes
Culpeper, Va