Pecan (Elliot)

Carya illinoinensis 'Elliot'

A favorite among Southern gardeners, Elliot produces small to medium-sized pecans with exceptional flavor and excellent cracking quality. This variety is prized for its consistent annual production and resistance to scab disease, making it one of the most reliable pecans for home growers. The nuts have a high kernel percentage and rich, buttery taste that makes them perfect for both fresh eating and baking.

Harvest

210-240d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

70-100 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Pecan (Elliot) in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Pecan (Elliot) · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to difficult

Spacing40-60 feet

SoilDeep, well-drained alluvial soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorRich, buttery, and sweet with classic pecan flavor

ColorLight brown shell with golden-tan kernel

SizeSmall to medium, 40-50 nuts per pound

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	September – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	September – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	August – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	July – December

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.