The Missouri and Illinois native Pecan, Carya illinoinensis, grows into a large stately tree ideal for spaces looking for a big, showy giant. Growing 75-100′ tall, the Pecan Tree provides shade, shelter, and food for the diverse Missouri wildlife. Male flowers of long catkins pollinate the short female flowers on the same tree. The female flowers give way to sweet pecan nuts encased in a green husk ripening in fall. Though pecans can self-pollinate, for best results, plant two trees near each other.

A host plant for Walnut Caterpillar Moth. Its spectacular caterpillar is commonly called the Hickory Horned Devil; it can grow 5.5″ long.

Found naturally in the Mississippi River valley and its tributaries, plant Pecan Trees in moist, fertile soils. The largest of trees in the Hickory family.