Carya illinoinensis

Pecan / Pecan

Juglandaceae (Okkernootfamilie)

Northern America (whole)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (2)

Nuts, sap
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Pecan belongs to the canopy layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a late species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 8 to 30 meter. and a width of 6 to 20 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. The Pecan is decidious. It buds in may and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a taproot deep root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Pecan is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Tony Rodd, https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_rodd/4394909014

foto: Tony Rodd, https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_rodd/4394909014

foto: mollsie, https://www.flickr.com/photos/mollie/7182337236

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early may, mid may, end of may, end of june
Flowering period (length): day - several days, several weeks, week
Pollination vector: wind
Plant reproductive fertility: partially self-fertile, self sterile, varies per cultivar
Maximum distance for cross pollination: 50 - 100 metre

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

yet unknown

Harvest and Consumption

Nuts

Sap

Harvest location edible part: Ground layer
Harvesting period - start: End of october
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, simple tool
Ease of removal - edible parts: Difficult
Size edible parts: Medium
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Existing and predicted market demand fresh: Yes, with growth potential
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 5
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 6
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 7
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 8
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 25
Productivity - peak (kg) - maximum: 15

Suitable harvesting methods: Mechanical
Form of consumption: Fresh
Natural storability: Year
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 4
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 5
Productivity - peak (kg) - maximum: 7.5

Culinary appreciation

Very tasty, rich in nutrients and fats.

References