Pecan Trees, Carya illinoinensis, are one of the largest of the hickory trees. Generally growing 75 to 100 feet tall, the trunks often mature in the 2 to 4 foot diameter range. Hardy Pecan is native to the lower Mississippi Valley region from the river valley of Iowa, extending into areas of Kansas and Ohio and on south to Alabama.
Yellow flowers of the Juglandaceae Carya illinoinensis appear in April to May. While both male and female flowers are on the same plant, they are not within the same flower and are pollinated by wind. Excessive rainfall during the flowering period may prevent pollination.
By late summer, the sweet pecan tree has defined buds that grow until ripening in September to October.
The Pecan fruit is an oval or pear shaped nut enclosed in green husks turning from brown to black as they ripen. When mature, the husks become dry and split away from the nut.
Most pecan trees begin some nut production as early as 3 to 5 years old. Though, typically Pecan trees do not begin good production until 6 to 8 years with some natural stands not producing until even older.
Established, mature trees (approximately 15 to 20 years old), cleaned nuts should average about 100 to 160 per pound. Good crops are produced at intervals of 1 to 3 years.
Plant in full sun. We recommend installing Miracle Tree Tubes on your pecan plants for protection and growth assistance. For individual plants, use the Plant Survival Package which contains only 1 Miracle Tube with accessories.
To learn everything you need to know about growing Pecan trees, visit this link, University of Florida IFAS Extension article on The Pecan Tree.
