White Oak vs Hardy Pecan - TreeTime.ca

White Oak vs Hardy Pecan

Quercus alba

Carya illinoinensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

White Oak
Hardy Pecan

White Oak is large, long-lived tree with an irregular trunk divided into spreading, often horizontal, stout branches. A highly adaptable tree, White Oak features green acorns and beautiful green leaves that turn red-purple in the fall.

With a huge growth in bourbon and scotch over the past few decades there is an emerging shortage of white oak that is the primary tree used for cask barrels and aging.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

Hardy Pecan trees are known for their edible nuts that ripen in late autumn. They can be eaten raw or cooked and can be used in a wide range of baked goods. If stored properly in a cool, dry location, they can be kept for up to 6 months in their shell. Trees tend to bear nuts at maturity, which occurs around 6 -10 years. The size and form of this tree also makes it a great shade or feature tree for your landscape.

For nut production, it is recommended that at least 2-3 are planted so that cross pollination can occur. In colder areas it is likely that nut production will be limited, especially in locations with late frosts and shorter growing seasons.

If exposed to high winds, Hardy Pecan is known to lose branches, but these can be used as firewood, or to smoke foods with a hickory flavour. Finding seed or seedlings of this tree is rare in Canada.

Note: plant this tree once. It will not respond well to transplanting.

White Oak Quick Facts

Hardy Pecan Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 60%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high


Foliage: red-pink changing to bright yellow-green
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: yellow
Nuts: acorns
Nuts: oval, brown
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON, QC
Other Names: carya pecan, faux hickory, hicoria pecan, illinois nut, illinois nut tree, pecan hickory, soft-shelled hickory, sweet pecan