Labette Pecan Tree
Carya illinoinensis 'Labette'
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 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ 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 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
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Native, Drought resistant, Fast-growing, and Edible
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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NativeYes
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Does Not Ship ToAK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT
Labette Pecan (Carya illinoinensis 'Labette') opens up pecan growing to gardeners who thought they lived too far north. Developed in Labette County, Kansas, this cultivar stands among the hardiest pecans available, reliably producing crops where Zone 5 winters would kill standard varieties.
A True Northern Pecan
Most pecans hail from the deep South and struggle anywhere frost arrives early or lingers late. Labette breaks that pattern. Its Kansas origins mean it evolved with late spring freezes, early fall frosts, and genuine winter cold. The tree requires fewer heat units to mature its crop, making it the logical choice for growers in the Ohio Valley, lower Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Nut Quality and Harvest
Labette produces medium-sized nuts with thin shells that crack cleanly. The kernels are plump with that rich, buttery pecan flavor that makes fresh-harvested nuts incomparably better than anything from a store shelf. Expect your first small crops within 6-8 years, with significant harvests beginning around year 10. A mature Labette can yield 50-100 pounds of nuts annually under good conditions.
Pollination Requirements
Labette is a Type I (protandrous) pecan, meaning its male flowers shed pollen before its female flowers become receptive. For the best nut set, plant a Type II (protogynous) variety nearby such as Major, Kanza, or Pawnee. Trees should be within 150 feet for reliable cross-pollination. Without a pollinator, you may still get some nuts through self-pollination, but yields will be significantly lower.
Landscape Presence
Beyond the harvest, Labette grows into a magnificent shade tree. The broad, spreading canopy reaches 40-70 feet tall and nearly as wide at maturity. Pinnately compound leaves create dappled shade and turn golden yellow in fall. The deeply furrowed bark and stately form make pecans among the most handsome native trees you can grow.
Wildlife Value
As a native North American species, pecans support a web of wildlife. Squirrels, blue jays, and crows compete for the nuts (invest in a good squirrel baffle if you want any harvest). The spring catkins feed early pollinators. Numerous moth and butterfly larvae feed on the foliage, which in turn supports songbird populations raising their young.
Labette Pecan rewards patient gardeners with decades of shade, beauty, and delicious harvests. For northern growers who dreamed of picking their own pecans, this Kansas-bred cultivar finally makes it possible.
