Carya illinoinensis

Carya illinoinensis Details

Carya illinoinensis, commonly known as the Hardy Pecan, is an elegant, deciduous tree grown for its lush foliage and edible nuts. The flowers are green-yellow and generally regarded as insignificant but result in the sweet nuts which are encased in a thin husk. The husk splits open in autumn to reveal the mature nuts. The foliage is glossy and dark green and develops yellow tones in autumn before falling. It grows with an upright, spreading crown to about 30 m tall and 15 m wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained, semi-sheltered site. It is tolerant of frost, cool climates, and dry periods. Carya illinoinensis is an ideal tree for parks and large gardens where it is grown as a specimen with the added advantages of shade and tasty nuts. NB: If it is to be grown for nut production be sure to plant another nut variety nearby to cross-pollinate for better yields.