Labette Pecan Tree

Carya illinoinensis 'Labette'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-9, one of the most cold-tolerant pecans available for northern growers
Type I (protandrous) pollinator that produces medium-sized, thin-shelled nuts with excellent flavor
Native North American nut tree supports wildlife and produces reliable harvests in shorter growing seasons
Matures to 40-70 ft tall with a broad, spreading canopy that provides valuable shade

$223⁷⁸

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Drought resistant, Fast-growing, Edible
Hardiness Zone	5a to 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	40-70 ft
Width	35-50 ft
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Yellow
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Carya illinoinensis 'Labette'
Species	illinoinensis
Cultivar	Labette
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, PR

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How cold hardy is the Labette Pecan Tree, especially in northern climates?

Labette Pecan tolerates Zone 5 winters where standard pecan varieties would die. Developed in Kansas, this northern-adapted cultivar handles late spring freezes, early fall frosts, and genuine winter cold that kills most pecans. Plant Labette if you're in the Ohio Valley, lower Midwest, or Mid-Atlantic regions.

When does the Labette Pecan Tree start producing nuts, and how much yield at maturity?

Labette Pecan trees begin producing small crops at 6-8 years, with significant harvests starting around year 10. Mature trees can yield 50-100 pounds of nuts annually under optimal conditions. Plant a Type II pollinator nearby for best results when you shop at Nature Hills.

What are the best planting times for Labette Pecan Trees to avoid transplant shock?

Plant Labette Pecan trees in early spring after frost danger passes or in fall 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. Since this Zone 5-hardy cultivar handles late spring freezes better than southern varieties, you have more flexibility with spring planting timing than standard pecans.

Is the Labette Pecan Tree available as bare root or container-grown?

Labette Pecan Trees are typically available in both bare root and container-grown formats, with bare root shipping during dormant season (late fall through early spring). Container plants offer more flexible planting times but cost more. Choose bare root for winter planting in Zones 5-9, or containers for spring through fall installation.

How should I care for a young Labette Pecan Tree after planting, including watering and mulching?

Water deeply once weekly for the first two years, providing 1-2 inches per week during growing season. Apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch in a 6-foot circle, keeping mulch 6 inches from the trunk. Your Labette pecan from Nature Hills will establish faster with consistent moisture and weed-free root zones.

What soil types and pH levels does the Labette Pecan Tree prefer?

Labette Pecan thrives in well-draining, deep soils with a pH between 6.0-7.5. Like most pecans, it struggles in heavy clay or waterlogged conditions but tolerates sandy loam well. Plant in full sun with at least 6 feet of soil depth for the taproot to establish properly.

What are the ongoing care requirements for pruning and fertilizing Labette Pecan Trees?

Mature Labette Pecans need minimal pruning beyond removing dead or crossing branches in late winter. Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, adding zinc supplements if soil tests show deficiency. Focus on structural pruning during the first 5-7 years to develop strong scaffolding branches.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Labette Pecan Tree

Carya illinoinensis 'Labette'

A True Northern Pecan

Nut Quality and Harvest

Pollination Requirements

Landscape Presence

Wildlife Value

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Shipping Rates

Customer Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How cold hardy is the Labette Pecan Tree, especially in northern climates?

When does the Labette Pecan Tree start producing nuts, and how much yield at maturity?

What are the best planting times for Labette Pecan Trees to avoid transplant shock?

Is the Labette Pecan Tree available as bare root or container-grown?

How should I care for a young Labette Pecan Tree after planting, including watering and mulching?

What soil types and pH levels does the Labette Pecan Tree prefer?

What are the ongoing care requirements for pruning and fertilizing Labette Pecan Trees?

Choose options

Labette Pecan Tree

Carya illinoinensis 'Labette'

Specifications

Description

A True Northern Pecan

Nut Quality and Harvest

Pollination Requirements

Landscape Presence

Wildlife Value

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Find on Page

Customer Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How cold hardy is the Labette Pecan Tree, especially in northern climates?

When does the Labette Pecan Tree start producing nuts, and how much yield at maturity?

What are the best planting times for Labette Pecan Trees to avoid transplant shock?

Is the Labette Pecan Tree available as bare root or container-grown?

How should I care for a young Labette Pecan Tree after planting, including watering and mulching?

What soil types and pH levels does the Labette Pecan Tree prefer?

What are the ongoing care requirements for pruning and fertilizing Labette Pecan Trees?