Desirable Pecan Tree
Carya illinoensis 'Desirable'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Desirable Pecan Tree - #3 Container 4-5 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Desirable Pecan Tree highlights at a glance!
-
Botanical Name
-
Brand
-
Growing Zones6, 7, 8, 9
-
Growth RateModerate
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Width
-
Leaf Color
-
NativeYes
-
Pollinator Required
-
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
-
Harvest Time
Characteristics
Where To Plant
When To Prune
- Late Winter
Water & Moisture Needs
- Moderate
Sunlight Needs
Soil Needs
- Well-Drained
Growing Zones 6-9
The Desirable Pecan Tree (Carya illinoensis 'Desirable') is…well…desirable! For so many reasons. With all the rage in food sustainability, edible landscaping, and Pecan orchards and commercial grower's fields since the 1960s, there's a good chance that the Pecans you've bought from your local grocer are from a Desirable tree. If you've ever driven through southern states in the fall, the delicious Pecans you get from those classic roadside stands are probably from a Desirable tree, too.
For the home grower, one of this tree's best characteristics is that the nuts grow in giant clusters and self-prune, meaning they naturally drop a few nuts from each cluster so that the tree can focus its energies on the remaining nuts. Result: bigger Pecans!
Ripening in October through December depending on your climate, the Desirable nuts are some of the first Papershells on the market. You can crack them in your hand. You will get two HUGE nutmeat halves to enjoy. Desirable Pecans grow quickly and it's not unusual to get a 25-gallon bucket full of pecans from a healthy 5-year-old tree!
Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 9. Developed in the early 1900s by Carl F. Forkert from Mississippi. This is a Type I Pecan and needs a Type II like Sumner, Stuart, or Elliot Pecan for the best possible pollination and yield.
Planting and Application:
Desirable Pecan trees are also beautiful shade trees and can be excellent yard trees. This is the ideal lawn tree for the larger yard with a huge added benefit of edible nuts! You'll love the edible landscaping possibilities these lovely nut trees provide! The Pecan is truly a multipurpose windbreak and an attractive shade tree for your home to help reduce cooling costs during the summer.
This native tree has admirers in the natural world and provides habitat to many species of Host Plants to multiple varieties of moth larvae including the Luna Moth. These are also mighty songbird and wildlife sanctuaries, feeding more than just people with their late-season rich harvest of nuts to help sustain them through the winter.
- Lush Green Compound Leaves
- Type I Pecan - Needs Type II Pollinator Tree
- Easy to Harvest & Easy to Open Papershell
- Loads of Crunchy Pecans & High Oil Content
- Quick Growing & Great Shade Tree
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Plant Pecan Trees in full sun for best results and plan to give them a moderate amount of regular water during the first season and consistent moisture in a site with rich, well-drained soils. Provide trees with a thick layer of mulch over the root system to help during drought, and to keep the area under the canopy clear for easy nut harvest.
These trees can be drought-tolerant once established and thrive in the heat and humidity of the southeastern US best. The University of Georgia recommends a diligent spraying regimen to keep the trees free of Pecan Scab for the best home yields. Prune if needed when dormant.
- Full Sun Trees
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate Yet Regular Moisture
- Appreciates Mulched Beds
- Prune When Dormant
Shade, beauty, and home-grown nuts. What are you waiting for? Order the most widely planted Pecan Tree in America - the Desirable Pecan Tree today from Nature Hills Nursery!
