Black Locust vs Hardy Pecan - TreeTime.ca

Black Locust vs Hardy Pecan

Robinia pseudoacacia

Carya illinoinensis

Black Locust
Hardy Pecan

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

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.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Hardy Pecan Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Flowers: yellow
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Nuts: oval, brown
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none




Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: carya pecan, faux hickory, hicoria pecan, illinois nut, illinois nut tree, pecan hickory, soft-shelled hickory, sweet pecan