TreeRM

Pecan

Carya illinoinensis 路 Juglandaceae

The Texas state tree: a huge, long-lived shade and nut tree that can pass 100 feet on good river-bottom soil. It casts dense shade and gives free nuts in fall, but it needs deep soil and plenty of water, drops nuts, husks and leaves for months, and sheds limbs in storms. Best suited to large lots on the deep soils east of I-35 in Austin.

Broadleaf, drops leavesMedium growthFull sunLikes water
Pecan
Bruce Marlin, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Also native in: IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, OH, VA (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 GA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United Statessource

Recommended

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Austin, TX, United States 路 On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Pecan' for riparian or moist, deep-soil sites only; high water needs.source

Care

Plant bare-root or container trees in winter and water deeply and regularly for at least the first two years; mature trees still want a deep soaking every few weeks in dry summers to set nuts. Prune in winter for strong branch angles. Expect webworms, aphids (and sticky honeydew), pecan scab and twig girdlers; choose scab-resistant cultivars. Keep it away from roofs and driveways because of litter and limb drop.

Benefits

ShadeEdibleWildlifeBirdsLong livedStores carbon well

Good for

Yard shadeFoodparksAgroforestry

Watch out for

Heavy litterWeak woodPest proneLarge roots