Maybe you’ve wondered about this too — how far north pecan trees can really thrive?
In our area, we’re right at the edge of where pecan trees can grow, which makes every successful tree feel like a small victory.
If you’ve ever tried growing plants at the edge of their comfort zone, you know how important a little protection from the elements can be. We’re officially in Zone 5, but lately, it feels like our winters have softened, nudging us closer to Zone 6.
Maybe you’ve noticed this change, too. That shift is good news for pecan lovers, because it means our yards are becoming more welcoming places for these trees.
Seeing my friend’s pecan tree doing well gives me hope that you might have success with one, too.
I recently talked with Tom Hunt, the curator of the Mohican Arboretum, who has been growing these hardy pecans since 2010.
Tom’s story is a great example of how gardeners help each other: he received his pecan nuts from Tom Fox, who got them from John Gordon.
John Gordon, in turn, gathered these resilient pecans during expeditions along the northern stretches of the Mississippi — a real team effort that shows how much we all learn from one another.
These northern pecans, especially the ones from Wisconsin, have proven their toughness in our climate.
If you care about wildlife, you’ll be glad to know that these trees are favorites of squirrels, Blue Jays, and woodpeckers.
Since you’re thinking about starting a pecan tree, here are a couple of good options. Pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) can be started from seeds or from cuttings, and both methods are pretty approachable with just basic supplies.
From my experience trees grown from cuttings tend to be more predictable, since they’ll grow up to be just like their parent plant.
If you go the seed route, you might get some surprises, thanks to cross-pollination, but that’s part of the fun if you like a little adventure in your garden.
I promise it’s not as tricky as it sounds to start your own trees!
Start in late spring or early summer, after the tree wakes up from its winter rest. I use a 5 inch peat pot filled with perlite or vermiculite; just make sure to water it well so the pot feels nicely damp.
Find a healthy side branch and snip a 6-inch tip cutting with a flexible, quarter-inch-thick stem and a bunch of leaves (skip any branches with blossoms). For a clean cut, I always dip my blade in rubbing alcohol first — just a little habit that helps keep things healthy.
Cut just below a mature leaf at a slight angle to expose more of the inner flesh, then strip the leaves from the bottom half of your cutting.
Next, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, if you have it (I’ve had good luck with this for many plants), and tap off any excess powder. Tuck the cutting halfway into your moistened perlite, then give the pot a gentle shake to settle everything in place.
Drizzle a bit more water around the base to make sure it’s all snug. Put your cutting somewhere outside with light shade and shelter from the wind — no blazing midday or western sun, or you’ll risk drying it out.
I use a spray bottle to mist the leaves twice a day, keeping the perlite damp but not soggy. If you use a mini-greenhouse, just watch out for disease.
In about 6 to 8 weeks, you can give your cutting a gentle tug; if it resists, you’ve got roots!
Move it into a 1-gallon pot with garden soil and keep it by a south-facing wall to protect it from winter winds. Only water if things have been dry for more than two weeks.
The following spring, your little tree will be ready to move into its forever spot in your garden.
When your pecan tree finally produces those sweet nuts, it’s a real treat. Wildlife in your neighborhood like squirrels, Blue Jays, and woodpeckers will happily share in your harvest.
If you’ve got the space, why not give a pecan tree a try? You might be surprised how much joy it brings to your yard — and to your local critters!
I hope you find time for a peaceful stroll through your garden this week, and that you enjoy each new flower that pops up.
If you run into any challenges or just want to share your gardening stories, I’d love to hear from you at ericlarson546@yahoo.com.