(Carya)

The genus Carya comprises approximately 18 to 22 species of hickories and pecans (experts disagree about the status of some species). Most are large deciduous trees; a few are shrubs. Their areas of origin include Mexico, eastern Asia and the eastern half of North America. They are prized as long-lived, slow growing specimen trees. All have hard, elastic wood that is valuable for furniture making, wood flooring and tool handles, and slow burning hickory wood adds a pleasing flavor to smoked...

(Bitternut Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Swamp Hickory)

One of the best hickories for ornamental use, bitternut is a tall deciduous tree from eastern North America. Its straight trunk and strong spreading branches form an oval or cylindrical crown. The gray bark is rough and flaky at its surface, lacking the deep fissuring and plate-like scales typical of other hickories. The compound leaves are divided into 7 to 9 lance-shaped leaflets, with one leaflet at the tip and the others paired. They emerge from yellow buds somewhat later than the leaves of most...

(Pignut Hickory)

A valuable wildlife and timber plant, pignut is a highly variable medium to large deciduous tree from eastern North America. Its tapering, sometimes forked trunk bears relatively short, spreading or drooping branches, forming a narrowly oval crown. The gray bark can be smooth, furrowed, or scaly. The pinnate leaves are divided into five or rarely seven lance-shaped yellow-green leaflets, with one leaflet at the tip and the others paired. The foliage turns yellow in fall. Inconspicuous flowers appear...

(Papershell Pecan, Pecan)

Though primarily known for its sweet pecans, this large deciduous tree from eastern and southern North America and Mexico also has ornamental virtues. It is a tall, beautiful tree with attractive compound leaves, a tall straight trunk and furrowed, gray-brown to brown-black bark. Many cultivars have been selected for flavor, hardiness, earliness of ripening, and other characteristics.

Trees generally take from 15 to 20-years before they are fruit-bearing. Harvest takes place very late in the...

(Papershell Pecan, Pecan)

Cultivars in this series are variable in their pecan production.

Pecan is a deciduous tree that grows to be very large. It is the state tree of Texas, and is naturally distributed from the Midwest to south-central United States and into Mexico. This tree has attractive furrowed bark that turns reddish brown over time. Pecans are grown as shade trees and for their nut production.

(Burkett Pecan, Papershell Pecan)

Though primarily known for its sweet pecans, this large deciduous tree also has ornamental virtues such as attractive compound leaves and a straight, furrowed, gray-brown to brown-black trunk. A 1911 introduction that was once common in cultivation, 'Burkett' is now largely superseded by later cultivars such as its offspring 'Apache' and 'Comanche'.

Trees generally take from 15 to 20-years before they are fruit-bearing. Harvest takes place very late in the fall season, and the larger the tree...

(Candy Pecan, Papershell Pecan)

Though primarily known for its sweet pecans, this large deciduous tree also has ornamental virtues such as attractive compound leaves and a straight, furrowed, gray-brown to brown-black trunk. The cultivar 'Candy' is an old (introduced 1913) and relatively disease-resistant cultivar that bears prolific crops of relatively small nuts at an early age. Its lush, attractive leaves are darker and earlier than those of most other cultivars, making it one of the most ornamentally desirable pecans. It does...

(Cape Fear Pecan, Papershell Pecan)

Though primarily known for its sweet pecans, this large deciduous tree also has ornamental virtues such as attractive compound leaves and a straight, furrowed, gray-brown to brown-black trunk. The cultivar 'Cape Fear' bears prolific crops of pecans at an early age, but produces less heavily and becomes increasingly subject to bacterial leaf scorch as it ages. It performs best in the south central and southeast United States.

Harvest generally takes place very late in the fall season; the larger...

(Cheyenne Pecan, Papershell Pecan)

Although primarily known for its sweet nuts, this large deciduous tree from central North America also has ornamental virtues such as attractive compound leaves and a straight, furrowed, reddish brown trunk. 'Cheyenne' is a slow-growing cultivar that ripens its pecans rather late in the season. It performs well in the Southwest U.S., but has done poorly in the Southeast.

Pecan likes full sun and acid, well drained soil. Transplanting can be difficult because of its long taproot. 'Cheyenne' is...

(Choctaw Pecan, Papershell Pecan)

Although primarily known for its sweet nuts, this large deciduous tree from central North America also has ornamental virtues such as attractive compound leaves and a straight, furrowed, reddish brown trunk. 'Choctaw' is a relatively disease-resistant cultivar that bears large flavorful pecans. It does well in much of the Southeast U.S.

Pecan likes full sun and acid, well drained soil. Transplanting can be difficult because of its long taproot. 'Choctaw' is a late-pollen (type 2) cultivar; plant...