# Pecan Tree (*Pseudhomalopoda*)

The Pecan Tree is a tall tree that produces tasty pecans. These nuts are often used in pies and are great for snacking!

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Rich, well-drained soils

![Pecan Tree](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425883/objects/4833.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pecan Tree has a majestic, spreading canopy and distinctively furrowed, grayish-brown bark. Its long, compound leaves consist of multiple slender, pointed leaflets, creating a lush green appearance in summer. The oval, reddish-brown nuts grow in clusters, encased in a green husk that splits open when ripe.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida

## Interesting facts

- Did you know the word "pecan" comes from an Algonquin word meaning "a nut requiring a stone to crack"?
- Pecan pie is a super famous dessert, especially popular during holidays in America!
- Pecan wood is incredibly strong and beautiful, often used to make furniture and flooring!
- Pecans are the state tree of Texas, celebrated for their delicious nuts!

## Special abilities

- **Deep Taproot Power:** Pecan Trees have a very deep taproot that helps them access water deep underground, ensuring survival during dry periods.
- **Nut Armor:** Pecan nuts are protected by a tough outer husk that shields them from pests and harsh weather until they are ripe.
- **Wind Pollination:** Pecan Trees release vast amounts of pollen into the air, carried by wind to fertilize other trees for reproduction.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 20-40 m
- **Spread:** 15-25 m
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Size:** 60-120 cm
- **Lifespan:** 150-300 years
- **Fruit Type:** Nut (botanically a drupe)
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Cracks and eats pecan nuts
- **Parasitizes:** Pecan Weevil (*Curculio caryae*) — Larvae feed inside developing nuts
- **Shelter:** [White-breasted Nuthatch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-breasted-nuthatch) (*Sitta carolinensis*) — Nests in cavities and forages on bark
- **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young pecan saplings

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pecan Tree?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pecan Tree?

20-40 m

### How wide does Pecan Tree spread?

15-25 m

### Is Pecan Tree edible?

Yes

### How big is Pecan Tree?

60-120 cm

### How long does Pecan Tree live?

150-300 years

### Where is Pecan Tree usually found?

Rich, well-drained soils

### What kind of fruit does Pecan Tree produce?

Nut (botanically a drupe)

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Pecan Tree: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pecan-tree)