Pecan - Carya illinoinensis

Description and Uses

Carya illinoinensis (Pecan) is a temperate tree from Eastern North America. It is mainly grown for its nut crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; bio-fuel, fuel, nut, oil, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 5 - 10 years. The first yield will be 8 kg/tree/year but in its top season there will be a yield of 26 kg/tree/year. The seed/nut is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-rheuma. The bark contains various (_? - _?). There is Pecan oil extracted by expeller pressing from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 70 - 74% oil. The tree`s wood is called pecan wood and has a density of 830 - 840 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 4000 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 50 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Carya illinoinensis has a lifespan of 150 years.

---

Environmental limitations

The tree is 38 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Carya illinoinensis has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations Glomus intraradices,Tuber macrosporum,Tuber aestivum (ecto-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by wind. Carya illinoinensis is deciduous in winter and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Carya illinoinensis thrives in an altitude of 500 to 2500 meters above sea-level (temperate). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 5 - 25°C. The optimal rainfall is 1510 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 510 - 2000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 6.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is intolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.

---

Pests and Diseases

is susceptible to Curculio caryae as pest and Anthracnose,Scab diseases.

---

Seed Propagation

Seeds are stratificant and can be stored for 4 months. There are approximative 140 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature before chilling period., (1) Store harvested seeds moisty at a chilling temperature of 3-7 degrees C for 1-2 months, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature.

---