Pecan (Pawnee)
Carya illinoinensis 'Pawnee'
An outstanding early-season pecan variety that produces large, plump nuts with excellent shell-out percentages and sweet, rich flavor. Pawnee is prized for its consistent annual production and relatively compact growth habit, making it one of the best choices for home pecan growers. This variety begins producing nuts at a younger age than most pecans, typically within 4-6 years.
Harvest
210-240d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
70-100 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Pecan (Pawnee) in USDA Zone 7
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Pecan (Pawnee) · 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 taproot brings up nutrients, leaves provide excellent mulch and compost material
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, improves soil structure, and provides living mulch
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests that can damage pecan roots
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and other pests, climbing varieties won't compete with tree
Chives
Repel aphids and improve soil health without competing with tree roots
Wildflowers
Attract beneficial insects for pest control and support pollinators
Elderberry
Compatible understory shrub that attracts beneficial insects and birds
Native grasses
Prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and don't compete heavily for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to pecans and inhibits their growth
Cotton
Shares common pests like bollworm and aphids, increasing pest pressure on pecans
Large shade trees
Compete for sunlight which pecans need for optimal nut production
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, case bearer, hickory shuckworm
Diseases
Pecan scab, brown spot, powdery mildew, anthracnose