Pecan, Bare Root

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Pecan is a large native canopy tree for spacious plantings and long-term nut production. These are seedlings, so nut quality, shell thickness, and harvest timing are not uniform.

Key Characteristics

A long-term canopy investment

Plan for a broad crown and substantial mature height. Seedlings can take many years to bear; they are not a quick substitute for grafted orchard cultivars.

Pollination takes a group

Male and female flowers occur on each tree, but their timing can differ. Plant several genetically different pecans; these untyped seedlings cannot be promised as Type I or Type II partners.

Food web and climate fit

Pecan foliage feeds hickory horned devil caterpillars, while nuts feed wildlife. Tree survival in a cold zone does not guarantee enough growing-season warmth to ripen a crop.

Product Details

• Native range / origin: Central and south-central North America
• Plant type: Deciduous perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade; full sun is best for nut production.
• Soil moisture: Medium-Wet; Medium; Medium-Dry; see site guidance above.
• Mature height: 70–100 feet
• Bloom: April–May; Green, Yellow
• Fruit / seed: Edible pecans; seedling nut size, shell thickness, quality, and ripening date are variable.
• Harvest: Autumn; climate and seedling dependent
• Pollination: Plant several different pecan seedlings for overlapping pollen shed and receptive flowers; pollination types are unassigned.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9
• Stock: 16"+ Premium Seedling.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting, spread roots naturally, and water thoroughly. Maintain a mulched area clear of grass, with mulch pulled away from stems. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend is optional and should be used according to its label, away from direct contact with bare roots.

Give roots deep, well-drained soil and protect young trunks. Monitor pecan scab and weevils; seedling disease response is not cultivar-rated.

For ideas on combining planting layers, explore our fruit-tree guild guide. Give the nut tree's mature canopy and roots priority when arranging companions.