12/12/2025

Pecan Tree

The Ohio Chapter ISA continues its efforts to advance responsible tree care practices through research, technology, and education while promoting the benefits of trees. This month’s Tree-of-the-Month is pecan, Carya illinoiensis.

Species

Pecan is a large deciduous tree native to the central and southern United States, thriving along river valleys and floodplains from Illinois to Texas. While not native to Ohio, pecan can be grown successfully here in well-drained soils and full sun. Known for its stately form and edible nuts, pecan is a member of the hickory family and is prized both as a shade tree and for its economic value. It tolerates periodic flooding and clay soils but prefers deep, fertile, moist soils for optimal growth.

Leaves, Twigs, and Buds

Pecan leaves are pinnately compound, typically 12–20 inches long, with 9–17 lance-shaped leaflets arranged alternately along the rachis. Leaflets are serrated and glossy green in summer, turning yellow in fall. The airy foliage provides filtered shade, making pecan suitable for large landscapes where turf or understory plants are desired.

Twigs are stout and gray-brown with prominent leaf scars and a chambered pith. Buds are small, rounded, and alternate along the stem. Winter twigs present a coarse texture, contrasting with the tree’s graceful summer canopy.

Bark

Mature bark is gray-brown with narrow, interlacing ridges and furrows, giving the trunk a rugged, textured appearance. Older trees develop deeply fissured bark that adds winter interest.

Flowers, Fruit, and Seeds

Pecan is monoecious, producing separate male and female flowers on the same tree in spring. Male flowers form in catkins, while female flowers appear at twig tips and develop into the familiar pecan nuts enclosed in a green husk. Nuts ripen in fall, splitting open to reveal the edible seed. Pecan nuts are a valuable food source for wildlife and humans alike.

Shape and Size

Young pecan trees exhibit a strong central leader and upright growth. Mature trees develop a broad, rounded crown. In Ohio landscapes, expect heights of 70–100 feet with spreads of 40–75 feet. In native conditions, pecans can exceed 120 feet.

Site and Care

Choose full sun and deep, well-drained soils for best results. Pecan prefers consistent moisture but tolerates short dry periods once established. Avoid highly compacted or poorly drained sites. Mulch to conserve soil moisture and protect roots. Pecans are relatively pest-resistant but may require management for pecan scab and nut pests in production settings.

Historic Uses

Pecan wood is strong, hard, and shock-resistant, historically used for furniture, flooring, and tool handles. The nuts have long been a staple food for Indigenous peoples and remain a cornerstone of Southern cuisine. Today, pecans are a major agricultural crop and a symbol of American heritage.

Comments

Pecan offers beauty, shade, and edible nuts, making it a multifunctional tree for large properties. Its size and deep root system limit its use in small urban lots, but it excels in parks, estates, and rural landscapes. The author’s personal pecan tree in Groveport, Ohio stands 70 feet tall and 75 feet wide- a testament to the species’ survivability in zone 6b.

For nut production, select improved cultivars suited to your region. Consult a local arborist for guidance on site selection, cultivar selection, and long-term care. Find a list of qualified, professional arborists in your area at trees4ohio.org.

​Tree Selection Tips
The Ohio Chapter ISA recommends working with an ISA Certified Arborist when selecting or caring for any tree in your landscape. To better guide you on the vital plant information for the American Sweet Gum use our friendly user's guide below:

Written by Tyler Mitten and reviewed by Mark A. Webber, BCMA, CPH, LTE,  MArborA, OCMNT, RCA, TPAQ, TRAQ

Photograph sources Tyler Mitten 2025