Types of Pecan Trees

Types of Pecan Trees

While many people love pecans for their delicious taste and nutritional value, few people realize just how many types of pecan trees exist in nature. Believe it or not, there are more than five hundred different varieties of pecan growing in different climates around the United States. Pecan trees thrive in areas with moist soil and as a result many varieties are found in the southern, coastal areas of the United States. To give you a better idea of the types of Pecan trees grown around the country, here is a list of the five most common.
1. Stuart: The Stuart variety of pecan trees are found in many places in the southeast and are extremely versatile and hardy. Although it takes around ten years for the trees to produce pecans, Stuart trees are easily cross pollinated with other varieties to produce a pecan crop more quickly.
2. Desirable: Indigenous to Mississippi but found across the south, Desirable pecan trees are appropriately named as they produce a large yield of pecans and effectively pollinate other varieties of pecan trees.
3. Gloria Grande: First grown in South Carolina, this variety of pecan trees are known for their sturdiness and durability as well as the large, thick shelled pecans they produce.
4. Elliott: Originating in Florida, Elliott pecan trees have strong taproots and grow well in warmer areas. They produce a thick shelled pecan and can be cross pollinated with several other varieties.
5. Moreland: Native to Louisiana, Moreland pecan trees yield a dense crop of pecans. Their pecans are usually oval shaped with shells thin enough to be cracked by hand.
We hope this list gives you a better idea of the types of pecan trees around the country and provides you with a new perspective on where those delicious nuts we call pecans come from. Pecan trees and the nuts they produce vary greatly. From size and shape to crop yield and shell thickness, the variety that exists in nature is truly amazing. While these trees may differ greatly, one thing remains the same: the great taste of the nut they produce!