Stuart Pecan Carya illinoinensis 'Stuart'

The 'Stuart' pecan is a cultivar of Carya illinoinensis, Hardy Pecan, and typically grown in the southeastern United States. It is a Type II pecan, for pollination purposes, protogynous, but not precocious and requires an early cultivar for pollinating. It needs less pruning than other cultivars and usually takes 8 to 10 years to bear fruit. It usually has a thicker shell than other cultivars and the quality is poor to average. The 'Stuart' pecan originated from a seed planted in 1874 by J.R. Lassabe in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The property was purchased by Capt. E. Castanera and the cultivar was originally known as 'Castanera'. It was later propagated by Col. Stuart and offered commercially in 1892 as 'Stuart' (perhaps because colonels outrank captains).

The Stuart pecan does best grown in full-sun in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. It tolerates clay and sand, as long as they are well drained. Learn more about selection, planting, and care of pecan trees. The 'Stuart' cultivar makes up a sizable portion of the commercial acreage in the Southeast. However, nut quality is marginal compared to newer cultivars, the kernel is often dry, and yellow aphids can be a problem.

In general, pecan trees can reach up to 130 feet in height, but will usually grow 70 to 100 feet tall with a spread of 40 to 75 feet. The largest of the hickories, this deciduous tree has 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: meaning 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: 

This tree is susceptible to wind damage. Aphids, pecan weevils, stink bugs, twig girdlers, and fall webworms can cause some issues. Scab can infect both nuts and foliage. 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.