What Does a Pecan Tree Look Like?
Have you ever wondered what types of trees you have on your property or pass by in the wild? Learning about different types of trees is a fun way to enjoy nature, and you might have a fun snacking option if you identify a pecan tree in your yard.
You’re still in luck even if you don’t have a pecan tree in your backyard. Pecan Nation carefully grows and harvests pecans so you can enjoy the most irresistibly scrumptious variations.
When you come across a tree that seems to be forming nuts, could it mean that you have pecans on your hands, or is the tree a different kind of nut tree?
If you had one of our fifth-generation farmers with you, we could easily help you decide. But we’re probably working at our Georgia pecan orchard! Don’t worry — check out our helpful tips and pecan tree pictures to learn how to identify a pecan tree with ease.
Clues From Pecan Trees
Like all trees, pecan trees have unique characteristics that set them apart from other species. You just need to know which distinctions to look for. The biggest ones are size, location, leaf shape, and bark color and texture.
Tree Size and Color
A pecan tree can grow impressively tall. While most trees hover around the 70-foot mark, some have been known to grow much taller. In fact, pecan trees have exceeded 100 feet in the wild.
Tree Location
The pecan tree tends to grow alongside other pecan trees. It’s rarer to find a single pecan tree. Usually, you’ll spot at least a trio of pecan trees gathered together in the wild. It’s more common to find a pecan tree in your yard if you live in the South because they’re native to the Southern United States.
Leaves of a Pecan Tree
The leaves of a pecan tree are long. A single leaf, which is made up of 17 smaller leaflets, can measure close to two feet. Pecan tree leaflets have a distinctive shape. Some say they look like a bird of prey’s curved beak or a “sickle” shape. However you describe them, pecan leaves are slightly bowed at the tips and darker on top. Because these trees form a wide, symmetrical canopy, the leaves and leaflets may be higher up than those on surrounding trees.
Pecan Tree Bark Identification
A pecan tree’s bark typically has a flaky or scaly appearance, especially if it’s a mature tree. Pecan tree bark gradually develops loose, long, and flat ridges that give it this appearance. It also darkens as it ages and can be any of the following colors:
- Light brown
- Gray-brown
- Red-brown
Identifying the Pecan Tree Nut
Not all pecan trees produce nuts year after year, depending on where the trees grow and how old the trees are. Trees that do produce nuts are ripe at the end of the calendar year, just in time for all those favorite holiday recipes!
If you have a mature pecan tree in front of you and it’s already dropped some nuts, pick one up. Pecan shells are relatively smooth and oval-shaped.
While they’re difficult to open by hand, it’s not impossible. Long ago, people found ingenious ways to open pecans without using a nutcracker, including putting two pecan shells in one palm and squeezing your hand to apply pressure. You might want to try this one-handed shelling trick the next time you encounter a pecan tree with ripe nuts! If this strategy doesn’t work, you can use a hammer, nutcracker or pliers to open the pecan.
Once your pecan is cracked open, you can observe the nutmeat. You’ll see some long grooves along with the tasty, sweet meat. You can eat pecans fresh from the tree if you like.
Knowing Your Pecan Trees
Now that you know what a pecan tree and pecan tree leaf look like, you may think about growing one in your backyard. However, this tree needs lots of room. Most backyards can’t adequately support the needs of a mature pecan tree.
Of course, you don’t have to plant a pecan tree to get delicious pecans! Pecan Nation grows over 40 varieties of pecans and meticulously sorts them for optimal quality. We are passionate about providing only the most delectable, nutrient-packed pecans.
Enjoy Signature Fresh Pecans From a Family-Owned Grower
No pecan tree? No worries. Pecan Nation carefully tends 100-year-old orchards so you can enjoy the naturally sweet taste and soft crunch of fresh pecans. We offer a wide selection of flavors, including Maple, Cinnamon, Barbeque, Roasted & Salted and Honey Roasted. Browse our selection of savory and sweet pecans to enhance your snacking or recipes.