Pecan Tree – Carya illinoinensis
Pecan Tree
- a) Average expected life of tree, in years, from sprout to death (approx numbers)
100 + years but can live up to 400 years.
- b) Years until trees first fruit (ie some trees fruit within a few years, others can take decades)
3-10 Years Grafted 3-7 years
- c) Season of year when productive tree fruits (ie Summer, Autumn, Winter Spring or combo ie Su/Au)
Autumn
- d) Expected or average number years tree expected to fruit for once it begins. (ie year 8 to 20 = 12 yrs)
100 years plus
- e) Country/area of origin
Central and Eastern North America and the river valleys of Mexico
- f) Average annual rainfall in area of origin
California 21.44 inches
Mexico 39.4 inches
- g) Latin name of tree and family
Carya illinoinensis Juglandaceae
- h) Any other products, benefits, useful or interesting facts about of tree:
- Nut – Raw. Excellent taste in both Pecans and selected Hickories.
- Nut – Cooked. Used in desserts, breads, baking, etc.
- Nut – “Milk” can be made from Pecan nuts
- Nut – Oil. An edible oil can be pressed from Pecans
Secondary Uses:- General insect pollen plant – attracts beneficial insects which feed on the pollen of these trees
- Wildlife food
- Wildlife shelter
- Windbreak plant
- Sap is edible (Hickories) – can be tapped like Maples and reduced (with heat) to make syrup. I have yet to try this syrup, but the reports on flavor I have found range from very good to fair and slightly bitter. Interesting.
- Coppice Plant
- Wood used for poles, posts, fence posts, stakes, tool handles (axes!).
- Wood used for fuel (firewood), charcoal.
- Wood is a great wood for smoking meats.
- Dynamic Accumulator– Potassium and Calcium for all species; Phosphorus in Shagbark Hickory ( ovata)
- Biomass Plant – large tree with lots of leaf-fall every Autumn that can be left to decompose and build the forest soil, or it can be moved and used in other places or composted.
(Source: https://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2013/03/permaculture-plants-pecans-and-hickory.html)
- i) Height, width and shape of tree at maturity.
Up to 18-25 meters tall and wide
Trunk up to 2 meters
- j) challenges or special requirements, such as needing other varieties in order to fruit
Some varieties need a pollinator. Very hardy once established.
