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Carya illinoinensis

Carya illinoinensis

Pecan

synonym Carya illinoensis

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Description

Carya illinoinensis (pecan, synonym Carya illinoensis) comes from the Mississippi river basin in the United States. It is a sub-climax species that requires hot summers for good nut production. The pecan is a highly ornamental and majestic species and can be used as a shade tree in parks. As it matures, the pecan forms a broad, spreading, round, semi-open crown - where space allows, with monumental curved branches. Carya illinoinensis is very long-lived and can reach a height of 35 metres. German botanist Friedrich von Wangenheim first described the tree in 1777 as a Juglans, and another German botanist Karl Koch described it as a Carya in 1869. 

Carya illinoinensis blooms in May, producing green-yellow catkins that hang down. After pollination nuts are produced, and in the Netherlands, these ripen around October to November. To ensure the fruits set, a minimum of 3 specimens need to be planted in a sunny and warm site. The unevenly pinnate leaves are green with a light green underside and emerge downy haired. The green summer foliage loses the pubescence and the autumn colour is a wonderful butter yellow. When rubbed, the leaf has an unpleasant aroma. The bark of the pecan is smooth and grey-brown for the first twenty years and then often develops irregular grooves and platelets.  Carya illinoinensis has grey-green to olive brown branches, they are resistant to wind and emerge slightly hairy.

As a juvenile tree, Carya illinoinensis requires good supportive pruning in order to obtain an upright trunk. The species is not particular about soil but moisture-retentive and fertile soils ensure the healthiest growth. Persistent waterlogging can lead to anthracnose and verticillium in spring, and so should be avoided. Around 200 cultivars have been selected specifically for nut production. Carya illinoinensis is a magnificent tree for use in parks and large gardens - on nutrient-rich soils. Similar in appearance, the pecan nut also makes a very useful alternative for ash trees.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees fruit trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden cemetery countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

food forest prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

20 - 35 m

Width

12 - 25 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals humans

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerant to short-term flooding

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Carya illinoinensis standard tree
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Carya illinoinensis solitary shrubs
flowers flowers
Carya illinoinensis flowers
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
leaves leaves
Carya illinoinensis leaves
fruits fruits
Carya illinoinensis fruits
fruits fruits
Carya illinoinensis fruits
fruits fruits
Carya illinoinensis fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Carya illinoinensis autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Carya illinoinensis autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Carya illinoinensis autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Carya illinoinensis autumn leaves
fruits fruits
Carya illinoinensis fruits
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
bark bark
Carya illinoinensis bark
twigs twigs
Carya illinoinensis twigs
twigs twigs
Carya illinoinensis twigs
twigs twigs
Carya illinoinensis twigs
twigs twigs
Carya illinoinensis twigs
twigs twigs
Carya illinoinensis twigs

Flowers

Flowers

catkins discrete pendulous

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

green buds pale green

Leaves

deciduous big underside hairy scented with contusion serrate pinnate composite

Autumn colour

dark yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking edible nut husk

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling furrowed smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

pale brown grey-green

Twigs

hairy bare pendulous long shoots

Root system

Root system

deep tap root clinging aerial roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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