Also known as Nogal Morado · Nuez Encarcelada · Pecan Tree
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a large, deciduous tree native to North America, prized for its delicious nuts and beautiful shade.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun required
100% intensity
Pecan trees need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and nut production.
Consistent moisture required
75% intensity
Deep watering during establishment and nut development; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Loam, Sandy loam, Clay loam
50% intensity
Adaptable to wide range
50% intensity
Tolerates heat and cold, but optimal growth occurs in temperate climates with distinct seasons and sufficient chill hours.
Moderate feeding
50% intensity
Fertilize annually in spring, especially young trees. Soil tests can guide nutrient applications.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Pecan trees require consistent moisture, especially during their establishment phase and when developing nuts. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Reduce watering frequency in cooler months but avoid letting the soil become completely parched. Proper drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Prune young pecan trees to establish a strong central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches. Remove crossing, damaged, or diseased limbs at any time.
For mature trees, structural pruning focuses on improving light penetration and air circulation within the canopy, enhancing nut quality and disease resistance.
Pecan trees are typically propagated by grafting or budding onto rootstock. Seed propagation is unreliable for producing true-to-type varieties.
Grafting is usually performed in late winter or early spring, while budding is done in summer. This ensures desirable nut characteristics and disease resistance are maintained.
Repotting is generally not applicable to mature, established pecan trees as they are large, long-lived trees.
Young, container-grown pecan saplings may need repotting every 2-3 years into a larger container as their root system develops. Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
8 known issues from plant disease data
Pecan Scab on Pecan causes small olive to black spots on leaves, shoots, and shucks that can merge, blacken tissue, and damage nuts.
Powdery Mildew on Pecan covers developing nuts and shoots with a white dusty coating that later turns dull gray or brown.
Anthracnose on Pecan causes dark lesions on leaves and shucks, followed by early leaf drop and nuts that may not open well.
Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch on Pecan turns leaflet tips and edges tan to brown, then leaflets drop while bare stalks may remain.
Downy Spot on Pecan starts as small yellow spots on young leaves, later turning brown and causing early leaf loss when severe.
Bunch Disease on Pecan makes bushy clusters of thin shoots and crowded leaves, often on one limb, with little or no nut set.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fagales |
| Family | Juglandaceae |
| Genus | Carya |
| Species | Carya illinoinensis |
Similar in genus Carya
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
