Carya illinoinensis (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 40m
Eventual Spread: 20m
Hardiness: 5a – 9b
Family: Juglandaceae
Carya illinoinensis is a large deciduous tree with a large spreading crown. Its mid green leaves are alternate, pinnate, 45cm long, with up to 15 leaflets. Each leaflet is lanceolate with serrrulate margins, up to 12cm long and 6cm broad. Its branches. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of 2m. Its bark is light grey/ brown. Its monoecious yellow/ green flowers are catkins, are wind pollinated and self fertile. Its male catkins are pendulous and up to 18cm long, its female are small and appear in clusters of up to 6. Its brown fruit, the edible Pecan Nut, is a drupe, is oval, up to 6cm long and 3cm broad.
Carya illinoinensis Leaf (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Carya illinoinensis, commonly known as Pecan, is native to south, central North America and north Central America.
The etymological root of the binomial name Carya is derived from the Greek Karia, the Ancient Greek name for the Walnut tree. Illinoinensis is from the Latin meaning ‘from Illinois’.
The landscape architect may find Carya illinoinensis useful as a large parkland tree which bares edible fruit. When locating this tree consideration should be given to the fact that this tree drops moderately large fruit.
Ecologically, Carya illinoinensis is attractive to some mammals and birds which eat its fruit.
Carya illinoinensis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Carya illinoinensis Bark (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Carya illinoinensis requires little maintenance.