Pecan Tree

This pecan tree is Carya illinoinensis, the native hickory that gives us pecans and a big, long-lived shade tree. We ship pecan trees bare-root in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes, in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500, for orchards, homesteads, large properties and wholesale buyers planting a nut crop.

Pecan Tree Size, Zones and Sun

A mature pecan stands 70 to 100 feet tall (sometimes up to 130) with a spread of 40 to 75 feet. Growth is medium, and the tree is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It wants full sun and takes part shade. Clay, sand and loam all work, acidic or alkaline, as long as drainage is good. The tree is drought tolerant once established.

Pecan Leaves, Bark and Nuts

The leaves are 4 to 8 inches long, divided into 9 to 17 narrow leaflets, and they turn yellow in fall. The bark is gray-brown with rectangular ridges. Nuts grow in green husks that dry brown and split into four sections in fall, releasing oval, tan-to-brown nuts 1 to 3 inches long.

Pecan Pollination and Nut Set

Pecan flowers come as separate male and female blooms on the same tree, but the timing works against a lone tree: pollen isn't released while the female flowers are receptive. Cultivars are sorted into Type I and Type II, and NC State Extension recommends planting at least three, including at least one of each type. If you're planting for nuts, plant several trees.

Pecan and Wildlife

Small mammals and birds eat the nuts, and the leaves host luna moth and hickory horned devil caterpillars. Compare pecan with other nut trees in our guide to nut-bearing tree varieties.

Where to Plant Pecan

Pecans need room. Space trees 40 to 60 feet apart, which is why they suit large lawns, pastures, orchards and farm edges more than small yards. The deep taproot makes mature trees hard to move, so choose the spot with care. Our guide to fruit trees for Tennessee gardens covers how pecans fit alongside other orchard trees.

Planting Pecan Bare-root

Plant while the trees are dormant. Soak the roots for a few hours, then dig a hole deep enough for the taproot to hang straight. Set the tree at the depth it grew, firm the soil and water deeply. Weekly watering through the first two summers makes a real difference.

Buying Pecan Trees in Bulk

At 50 feet between trees, a 25-pack covers about an acre and a half and a 100-pack about six. The 1-2 foot trees ship and plant easily at scale, while the 3-4 foot size gets a head start. Mixing varieties improves nut set.

Good to Know About Pecan

Pecan trees can take several years before they bear. Scab can affect nuts and leaves, and aphids, weevils and webworms are common pests. The branches are brittle and may break in strong wind, and a late frost can cut a crop.

Pecan for Shade and Nuts

A pecan is a tree you plant for the long haul. It makes a broad shade tree in the first decades, then starts bearing nuts, and a well-sited tree can produce for generations. The bark furrows and the crown spreads wide, which suits large lawns, farm edges and property lines. Plan the layout for the full 75-foot spread so trees don't crowd each other as they mature.

Pecan Tree Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Pecan trees ship bare-root in November, in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes and packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Volume pricing available. Browse more wholesale trees for sale.