Pecan (Caddo)
Carya illinoinensis 'Caddo'
An early-ripening pecan variety that's perfect for northern pecan growing regions and shorter seasons. Caddo produces medium-sized nuts with excellent kernel quality and good crack-out percentage, making it ideal for home gardeners who want reliable harvests. This variety is known for its consistent production and adaptation to cooler climates where other pecans struggle.
Harvest
210-230d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
70-100 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Pecan (Caddo) in USDA Zone 7
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Pecan (Caddo) · Zones 5–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry. Height: 70 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 40 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet, more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Sweet edible nuts with a husk that splits into four sections when they ripen in the fall. Husk begins green and dries to brown. The nut is oval to round, 1-3" long, tan to brown with darker streaking. Wind pollinated.
Color: Brown/Copper, Cream/Tan, Green. Type: Nut. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Nuts are edible.
History & Origin
Origin: Central & E. Central U.S.A. to Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Wet Soil
- +Attracts: Moths, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Fruits feed small mammals and some birds. Larval host plant to the Luna moth. This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed.
- +Edible: Nuts are edible.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and compost
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover, and attracts beneficial insects
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests that can damage pecan roots
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial predators
Wildflowers
Support beneficial insects and pollinators, improve biodiversity around mature trees
Native grasses
Prevent soil erosion, require minimal water, don't compete heavily with deep pecan roots
Elderberry
Attracts beneficial insects, provides wildlife habitat, tolerates partial shade under pecans
Lavender
Repels ants and other pests, drought tolerant, attracts beneficial pollinators
Keep Apart
Black walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can inhibit pecan growth and nut production
Tomatoes
Sensitive to juglone compounds that pecans produce in small amounts
Potatoes
Susceptible to juglone toxicity and compete for nutrients in root zone
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346395)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to scab, moderate resistance to other fungal diseases
Common Pests
Pecan weevil, aphids, hickory shuckworm, fall webworm
Diseases
Pecan scab, brown spot, downy spot, powdery mildew