Growing pecan
nut
Pollination
Needs a 'type I' and a 'type II' variety so pollen shed and female receptivity overlap.
Growing it
Zones 6-9. Needs a long, hot summer to fill the nuts and a lot of room - 40 ft between trees. Northern (fast-filling) types for cooler areas.
Where pecan grows best
Hardy in zones 6-9, and it needs enough winter cold - about 300-1000 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.
Will you get enough chill?
Pecan needs roughly 300–1000 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does pecan grow in?
Pecan grows in USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
How many chill hours does pecan need?
Roughly 300-1000 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does pecan need a pollinator?
Needs a pollination partner. Needs a 'type I' and a 'type II' variety so pollen shed and female receptivity overlap.
Which states can grow pecan?
Pecan suits most of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts and 12 more, and parts of 20 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.