Carya illinoinensis (Hardy Pecan)

Carya illinoinensis (Hardy Pecan) is a tall and massive deciduous tree with a large spreading crown boasting lustrous dark olive-green leaves, each leaf having 11-17 pointed leaflets, 4 to 7 in. long (10-17cm). They turn yellow-brown in the fall. Inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring, the male flowers in pendulous catkins, and the female flowers in short spikes. The female flowers are followed by sweet, edible nuts. A tall ornamental shade tree for large properties. If grown for nut production, plant at least two different varieties for the best cross-pollination.

• Grows up to 70-100 ft. tall (21-30 m) and 40-70 ft. wide (12-21 m). This tree is quite difficult to transplant.
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in humusy, rich, moist, well-drained soils.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for scabs, aphids, pecan weevils, twig girdlers, and fall webworms.
• May be grown from seed, but it can take up to 8-10 years for a young tree to bear a nut crop.
• Native from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio south to Alabama and Mexico.