🌰 Pecan Tree
Carya illinoinensis
Tree
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate to high; deep, consistent moisture needed
🗺️ Zones
5–9
📏 Spacing
40–60 ft
📐 Height
70–100 ft
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.0
⏱️ Maturity
6–10 years (grafted); 10–15 years (seedling)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (6)
🤝 Clover
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Clover grow well together.
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Comfrey grow well together.
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Marigold grow well together.
🤝 Native wildflowers
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Native wildflowers grow well together.
🤝 Ryegrass (cover crop)
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Ryegrass (cover crop) grow well together.
🤝 Another Pecan variety
Good companion — Pecan Tree and Another Pecan variety grow well together.
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Competitive tall grasses
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Walnut
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Invasive understory plants
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
📝 Growing Notes
Pecan trees are among the largest nut trees and require two different varieties for cross-pollination due to protandry (pollen shed before stigmas are receptive). They have extremely deep taproots that need deep, well-drained soils of at least 36 inches. Clover and native wildflowers in the understory support beneficial insects that aid pest management.