Edible Plants of the World

Pecan

Pecan

It is native to S. United States. It requires a dry subtropical climate. It suits the tropical highlands. It does best in loamy soil in an open sunny position. It is frost resistant but drought tender. They need to be in areas with warm summers. Trees grow naturally near streams in arid areas. They need deep fertile, well drained soil. Thick shelled varieties are more cold tolerant. Trees can tolerate temperatures above 38°C. Trees need to have 700 hours with a temperature under 7°C. Trees need 5,000 degree days above 10°C and a high level of sunlight during the 210 day growing season. It is grown extensively in China. It can grow with a pH between 5-8 but 6.5 is best. The soil needs to be well aerated. In PNG it is recorded between 1,400-1,600 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-11.

Also known as:

Carya pecan, Mei guo shan he tao, Nogal pecanero, Noix de pacane, Pacana, Paccan, Pagan, Pekannuss

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Pecan grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Central America, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Haiti, India, Israel, Mexico, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Uruguay, United States, West Indies, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 14-25 Carya species.

Status: It is a cultivated food plant. Nuts have been imported into Papua New Guinea for trial plantings. Trees at Aiyura bear irregularly.

Growing Pecan

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from seeds. It can be grown from root-shoots. Seeds need to be fresh or they won't grow. Nuts which will grow, sink when put into water. Trees can be pruned to stop them growing too tall. Often trees are pruned to 15 m high. Trees easily suffer from zinc deficiency. Thin shelled selections are grown using cuttings grafted onto seedlings. Cross pollination normally means better nut production. Different pollinating kinds are inter planted to ensure pollen is shed while female flowers are receptive. The flowers are wind pollinated. A spacing of 10 m is suitable.

Edible Uses: The nuts are eaten raw or cooked. They are used in pies, candies, cakes, breads, ice cream, and to thicken soups. They are a source of an edible oil. The leaves are used for tea.

Production: Trees grow slowly at first while they form a taproot, then they grow more quickly. During the first 8-15 years they do not produce nuts. Trees can live for 1000 years. Grafted trees produce more quickly. A tree can produce 20-25 kg on nuts.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Seed 763 9.3 2.4 8 2 4.5 3.2
Seed - oil - - - - - -
Leaves - tea - - - - - -

Pecan Photos

Pecan Pecan Pecan Pecan Pecan

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