Pecan (Stuart)
Carya illinoinensis 'Stuart'
One of the most reliable and widely planted pecan varieties, Stuart has been a Southern favorite since the early 1900s. This self-fertile variety produces large, plump nuts with excellent flavor and good cracking quality, making it perfect for both commercial and home orchard use. The tree is known for its consistent annual production and relatively early bearing age.
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 (Stuart) in USDA Zone 7
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Pecan (Stuart) · 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 nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch for pecan trees
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Marigold
Repels nematodes and other soil pests that can damage pecan roots
Elderberry
Attracts beneficial insects and birds that control pecan pests
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting pecan trees
Chicory
Deep roots break up compacted soil and improve drainage around pecan trees
Wild Bergamot
Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects
Yarrow
Improves soil fertility and attracts beneficial insects that prey on pecan pests
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants and can inhibit pecan growth
Pine Trees
Creates acidic soil conditions that pecans prefer to avoid, competes for nutrients
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants including fruit and nut trees
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346395)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to scab, susceptible in high humidity areas
Common Pests
Pecan weevil, aphids, case bearers, hickory shuckworm
Diseases
Pecan scab, brown spot, downy spot, powdery mildew