Pecan
Carya illinoinensis
Pecan is the largest of the hickories and the source of the beloved native nut, a massive, long-lived shade tree of river bottoms. Needs room and rich, deep soil; rewards with shade, mast, and harvest.
- Family
- Juglandaceae
- Type
- tree
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 75–100 ft
- Spacing
- 40–70 ft apart
- Light
- sun
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- March, April, May
- Bloom colors
- yellow
- Wildlife value
- butterflies, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~235 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- specimen
- Native states
- AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OK, TN, TX, VA
Related native plants
More Carya species
- Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
- Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)
- Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
- Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa)
- Black Hickory (Carya texana)
- Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)