Carya illinoinensis 'Pawnee'

'Pawnee' is a cultivar of Carya illinoinensis, Hardy Pecan, and is a large shade tree that bears high quality pecans. 'Pawnee' is a cross of 'Mohawk' and 'Starking Hardy Giant', made in Brownwood, Texas, in 1963, and is very popular throughout the Western and Northern growing regions. It is also growing in popularity in the Southeast.  'Pawnee' is noted for its large nut size and early harvest (usually early September). Once mature (after 8 to 10 years), it is a top producer of medium to large nuts. It has good resistance to aphids and to disease and insects in general, but nut scab can be a problem. 'Pawnee' is a Type I pecan and requires two cultivars for pollinating.

'Pawnee' grows best in full sun. It tolerates clay and sand if well drained, but does best in loam soils with a pH of 6.0-6.5. It has high drought tolerance. Learn more about selection, planting, and care of pecan trees.

Pecan trees can reach up to 130 feet in height; 'Pawnee', however, tends to be smaller with a height of 30 feet and a spread of 25 feet. Pecan trees have a uniform, symmetrical, broadly oval crown and is massively-branched. Large major limbs grow up and out from the trunk in a distinctive upright, spreading fashion. On older trees, lower branches become wide-sweeping, with their tips almost touching the ground. Trunks can grow to 6 feet in diameter. 

Pollination is the second most important factor in purchasing pecan trees. Pecan trees are monoecious: they have separate male and female flowers on the same tree. Pollen is not released when flowers are receptive, so pollination within and between the same cultivars is limited. Cultivars are separated into type I and type II for pollination purposes. For optimum pollination, NC State Extension recommends planting at least three cultivars with at least one of each pollination type for best cross-pollination. All cultivars have positive and negative attributes, so do your research before purchasing.

Nut production can be reduced in the northern part of its growing range, especially when spring is late and the summer is cool. It can be difficult to transplant due to a deep taproot, so choose your planting location wisely with its large mature size in mind. You can grow it from seed, but it will take the better part of a decade before the tree produces a significant crop. Pecans tolerate being planted near black walnut trees. This tree requires a medium amount of maintenance. 

Due to its size, this is a tree most appropriate for a large property. It makes a good shade tree in a naturalized, woodland, or recreational area and as part of a children’s, edible, or pollinator garden.

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound
• Leaflets are falcate, crenate

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Pecan weevils, stink bugs, twig girdlers, and fall webworms can cause some issues. Scab can infect both nuts and foliage, but scab-resistant cultivars are available. Pecans are known for their brittle branches prone to breakage, especially in wind, and late frosts can reduce nut production.  

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Carya illinoinensis.