Carya illinoinensis

Carya illinoinensis (or Pecan tree) is a large hardy tree, requiring warm and long summers to bear fruit. It is well suited to Mediterranean regions. The fruits obtained are pecans, to be consumed alone or used in pastries. Planting is preferably done in spring for a harvest from August to November.

The fruit of the Pecan tree is a drupe, with a fleshy outer shell and green in colour. This shell, called the husk, opens at ripeness, releasing a shell containing the pecan nut. Harvesting takes place from late summer and throughout autumn. The pecan nut, similar in taste to a walnut, has a smoother kernel. The shells can be stored for several months in a cool, dry place. Pecan nuts can be consumed alone or used in pastries.

Native to North America, Carya illinoinensis is a large tree, with the type species here measuring 20 to 40m (65ft 7in to 131ft 2in) in height and 6m (19ft 8in) in diameter. It belongs to the Juglandaceae family, like the Walnut tree. Its deciduous leaves are elongated, consisting of 11 to 13 leaflets. Green in colour, they then take on a beautiful golden hue in autumn. The pecan tree is hardy, tolerating cold winters down to -15°C (5 °F) but requiring long, hot summers to bear fruit. Male flowers appear from the end of March, in the form of long yellow spikes. They are followed by the formation of young shoots and then discreet female flowers. Although male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, the flowering periods are different. If the goal is to obtain fruit, it is recommended to plant two trees to allow for cross-pollination and better fruiting.

In the garden, consider the dimensions of the tree at maturity to determine the planting location. The Pecan tree can be grown both as an ornamental tree and as a fruit tree, knowing that fruit production will mainly occur in the south of France, in regions where the autumn heat is sufficient. Fruiting starts from around the 4th or 5th year.