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 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 scab, 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.