Where to start?
What Pecan Trees grow best where I live? Is a question I get on a regular basis. The answer of course, depends on where you live and what you expect from your trees.
Pecan Trees are adapted to a large part of North America. In the wild, they are most prevalent in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys as far north as Iowa and West to central Oklahoma and Texas then south into central Mexico. Notice, I did not include Georgia. Pecan trees are not native to Georgia and only a small area of Alabama had pecans before modern times.
While native to a large area, not every variety will grow everywhere in its range. Trees from Mexico will not survive in Iowa and trees from Iowa will not fare well in Mexico.
There are said to be over 1000 named varieties of pecans. Most of those are chance seedlings that have characteristics better than typical wild pecans. Usually, they are larger than ordinary seedling nuts, but some have disease resistance, some are more productive and some were just grandma’s favorite.
Goals
How do we answer the question, what pecan trees grow best where I live? There are a few questions to answer first.
- What state are you going to plant them in?
- Do you have room for 2 trees. You will need 2 trees to get good pollination.
- What are your goals for the trees? Home use or commercial production.
We are going to address home use here today. Since states are large and climactically different and have geographic differences within each state, we will break each state down to be more accurate. The choices will include trees that are currently disease resistant. (Disease resistance can change as fungal diseases are adaptable.) There are other varieties than what I will list here that will work well in various places. These are my picks.
We will begin with the far northern areas with some qualifiers. While pecans grow wild along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois, away from the river in Iowa, north of Springfield Illinois and Indianapolis Indiana, pecans should be viewed as experimental. Will they live there? Yes, they will live there. Will they ripen nuts there? Not reliably.
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
Microclimate is important in the north. There are people making pecans in Southeast Michigan, in Southern Ontario in Canada and along the shore of Lake Erie in Western New York. Look at your frost-free days and remember, pecans like hot weather.
Missouri
North of I-70, pecans should be considered experimental in the far northern part of the state
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
South of I-70
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
Illinois
North of Springfield, pecans should be considered experimental in the far northern part of the state
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
South of Springfield
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey. Southeast Missouri- Labette and Nacono.
Indiana
North of Indianapolis, pecans should be considered experimental in the far northern part of the state
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
South of Indianapolis
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
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Ohio
The entire state of Ohio should be considered experimental for growing pecans. Not recommended at all north of Columbus
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
Pennsylvania
Most of Pennsylvania, especially the higher elevations are beyond the recommended range for pecans. The big valleys should be considered experimental and use the ultra-northern selections.
Southeastern Pennsylvania is warmer than the rest of the state.
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
Maryland
Western Maryland in the highlands-
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
Eastern Maryland
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
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Delaware
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
Virginia
Pecans are not recommended for higher elevations
Valleys and Piedmont
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Southeast Missouri- Labette and Nacono.
Coastal Plain
Type 1 top picks – Gafford, Lipan, Hark, Oconee
Type 2 top picks- McMillan, Lakota, Nacono
Almost any variety will grow on the coastal plain. These have good disease resistance.
Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky should be considered experimental.
Ultra Northern Pecans:
Type 1 top picks- Campbell NC-4 and Warren 346. Other possibilities- Carlson, Gibson, Osage and Shepherd.
Type 2 top picks- Lucas and Earlton. Other possibilities- Mullahy and Norton.
Central Kentucky
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
Western Kentucky
Type 1 top picks- Hark, Liberty, Oconee, Lipan. Other possibilities- Amling, Adams 5, Caney, Major, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Nacono, McMillan. Other possibilities- Bean, Earlton, Green River, Jackson, Labette, Oswego, Pleasanton, Posey.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma is pecan country. Many varieties will work. Commercial growers who spray their trees may choose different varieties than the ones listed here.
In Western Oklahoma trees will need irrigation to do well.
Oklahoma North
Type 1 top picks- Hark, Liberty, Caney. Other possibilities- , Adams 5, Major, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Labette. Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Jackson, Posey.
Oklahoma South
Top picks type 1- Amling, Adams 5 Hark, Lipan. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Labette, Lakota, McMillan, Oswego. Other possibilities- Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Kiowa, Nacono, Pleasanton.
Arkansas
Ozarks
Type 1 top picks- Caney, Hark, Liberty, Lipan. Other possibilities Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Type 2 top picks- Lakota, Oswego, Pleasanton. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette and Nacono.
Eastern and Southern Arkansas
Top picks type 1- Amling, Adams 5 Hark, Lipan. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Type 2 top picks- Labette, Lakota, McMillan, Oswego. Other possibilities- Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Kiowa, Nacono, Pleasanton.
Tennessee
Tennessee has three geographic regions
Mountains and Cumberland Plateau. Pecans are not recommended at higher elevation. In the foothills, look at the ultra-northern varieties
Tennessee River Valley and Middle TN
Top picks type 1- Hark, Liberty, Amling, Oconee, Lipan. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, Oswego, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
West Tennessee
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
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North Carolina
Like Tennessee, there are three geographic regions.
Pecans are not recommended for the mountain areas. Ultra Northern varieties could be tried experimentally
Piedmont
Top picks type 1- Amling, Hark, Liberty, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono, Oswego. Other possibilities- – Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
Coastal Plain
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
South Carolina
Foothills and Piedmont
Top picks type 1- Amling, Hark, Liberty, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono, Oswego. Other possibilities- – Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
Coastal Plain
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
Georgia
Foothills and Piedmont
Top picks type 1- Amling, Hark, Liberty, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono, Oswego. Other possibilities- – Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
Coastal Plain
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Elliot, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
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Alabama
Birmingham North
Top picks type 1- Hark, Liberty, Amling, Oconee, Lipan. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, Oswego, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
Birmingham South
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Elliot, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
Mississippi
Northeast Mississippi
Top picks type 1- Hark, Liberty, Amling, Oconee, Lipan. Other possibilities- Major, St Paul, Shepherd, Thayer, Yates 68 and Yates 127.
Top picks type 2- Labette, Lakota, Oswego, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- Earlton, Green River, Posey, Labette.
Delta and South Mississippi
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Elliot, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
Louisiana
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Elliot, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
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Texas
East Texas
Top picks type 1- Gafford, Hark, Lipan, Oconee. Other possibilities- Caney, Liberty, Oconee, Thayer, Yates 68, Yates 127
Top picks type 2- Elliot, Lakota, McMillan, Nacono. Other possibilities- – Bean, Candy, Cherryle, Jackson, Pleasanton.
West Texas
Pecan scab becomes less of a problem in the arid west. Disease control becomes less of an issue. The above list works but other varieties that would be difficult in the humid east are possible in West Texas. Irrigation is recommended in the west.
Arizona, New Mexico and California
Pecan scab becomes less of a problem in the arid west. Disease control becomes less of an issue. The above lists work but other varieties that would be difficult in the humid east are possible in the West. Irrigation is recommended in the west.
Pecans do best below 3000’ elevation.
