Tulip Poplar vs Hardy Pecan - TreeTime.ca

Tulip Poplar vs Hardy Pecan

Liriodendron tulipifera

Carya illinoinensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Tulip Poplar
Hardy Pecan

Tulip Poplar is the perfect shade tree for wide open spaces. It has a shallow and extensive root system, so ensure you give it space to grow. The attractive and showy, yellow-orange, tulip shaped flowers are where this tree gets its name.

Tulip Poplar is somewhat rare in Canada but highly sought after as it is difficult to grow. Does best in a moist, well-drained soil.

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.

Tulip Poplar Quick Facts

Hardy Pecan Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Flowers: yellow
Nuts: oval, brown
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


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