Arkansas Tree Database

Scientific name:

Carya Illinoinensis

Size:

65' tall by 75' wide, up to 130' tall

Leaves:

alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 12"-20" long, with 9-17 narrow toothed leaflets, with upper side wider than lower giving them a curved appearance

Flowers:

not showy

Fruit:

sweet edible nut in thin husk splitting open in four sections when ripe; takes 8-12 years before fruiting

Fall Interest:

sometimes deep yellow to yellow-brown; deciduous

Culture:

sun; humusy, rich, moist, well-drained soil; fairly adaptable

Disease/Insect:

fall webworm

Use:

shade tree, nut production (the most valuable native nut tree in North America), and lumber for furniture and flooring

Cultivars:

Notes:

bark light brown to brownish gray, usually rough, hard and tight but sometimes broken into scales; often a symmetrical, cascading vase shape; can reach 130' tall in good conditions; in cultivation since 1766; "pecan" is from Illinois (Native American) word "pekani;" native to Arkansas