Carya illinoinensis 'Sumner'

'Sumner' pecan is a cultivar of Hardy pecan, Carya illinoinensis, a shade tree in the Juglandaceae (walnut) family. 'Sumner' pecan is a recommended cultivar for the southeast United States. It is a heavy bearing tree with good resistance to scab, but susceptible to black aphid. It is a Type II pecan. 'Sumner' was a seedling discovered in Tifton, GA in around 1932 by Walter Sumner. Common characteristics as well as DNA evidence suggest that the  'Schley' cultivar may be a parent of 'Sumner'. 'Sumner' can be somewhat slow to come into bearing, but mature trees have fairly regular production of relatively large nuts, 54 nuts per pound, of moderate quality. The average harvest date tends to be late in the season.

'Sumner' pecan trees grow best in full sun and loamy, well drained soil with a PH of 6.0 to 6.5, but it will tolerate clay and sand as long as they are well drained. 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 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: 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.  

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.