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Carya illinoinensis (Hardy Pecan)

Hardy Pecan, Illinois Nut Tree, Pecan, Carya oliviformis, Carya Pecan, Hicoria Pecan

Carya illinoinensis, Hardy Pecan, Illinois Nut Tree, Pecan, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color, Fruit Tree
Carya illinoinensis, Hardy Pecan, Illinois Nut Tree, Pecan, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color, Fruit Tree

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.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Juglandaceae
Genus Carya
Common names Pecan
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 70' - 100'
(21.3m - 30.5m)
Spread 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Maryland, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Carya glabra (Pignut Hickory)
Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory)
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)
Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Juglandaceae
Genus Carya
Common names Pecan
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 70' - 100'
(21.3m - 30.5m)
Spread 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Maryland, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Carya (Hickory)
Not sure which Carya (Hickory) to pick?
Compare Now

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