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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s take a look at some of the differences between pecan trees and walnut trees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Do They Look Like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pecans and Walnuts both belong to the same family \u2013 Juglandaceae, <\/em>which we simply call the walnut family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pecan and walnut trees can look amazingly similar until you really get up really close and take a good look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are pinnately compound and are found on both trees. Compound leaves are ones that have multiple leaflets to each petiole, which is the stem-like structure to forms a single leaf. This is similar to Ash or Horse Chestnut trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pecan trees have 11 to 17 leaflets to a petiole, while walnuts have 15 to 23. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaflets themselves are an elongated oval shape with a pointed tip that bends slightly downwards. These grow, mirroring each other on either side of the stem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pecan leaves are usually smaller than those found on walnut trees, but the leaflets can be longer from 2.5 to 7 inches in length. They are a darker color on the upper side with a paler underside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walnut leaves are usually 12 to 24 inches long, with leaflets measuring between 2.5 and 5 inches. Walnut leaflets often have a more extended point and are more symmetrical overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you look at the underside of a walnut leaflet, you will notice tiny hairs. The leaves are also a darker shade of green than pecans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both trees produce catkins, and the number of catkins in a cluster is often greater on pecan trees than on walnuts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catkins get their name from a dutch word meaning kitten tales, as they have a similar appearance. Cute!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The length of these catkins depends on the cultivar of pecan or walnut tree you have and if they are male or female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably the simplest way of telling the difference between pecan and walnut trees is when they produce fruit. Although we call them nuts, they are, in reality, drups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hard shell of the nuts we are familiar with seeing in the store are, in fact, hidden inside a tough fibrous husk when growing on the tree. Pecan husks have an elliptical shape and are green until they split to reveal the nut underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walnut husks are rounded like a ball and between the size of a golf and tennis ball. They usually darken before falling from the tree once ripe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The color and texture are incredibly similar, although walnut bark can be a little rougher than pecan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pecans grow commonly in the southern United States and northern Mexico, and it isn\u2019t uncommon to see pecans growing along roadsides and you\u2019ll also probably spot plenty of old orchards too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wild pecans (Carya illinoinensis<\/em>) grew wild in North America in the Mississippi River basin and were popular with Native Americans long before they were cultivated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Commercial orchards appear in Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, producing almost half of the world’s supply of pecan nuts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are varieties to suit most climates in the US, from heat-loving trees through to frost-hardy ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Walnuts, both Black and English, are grown in the US and Southern Canada. Most commercial orchards are located in California, with 99% coming from California\u2019s Central Valley, but some are also found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pecan is native to North America. It was named by Native Americans from the Algonquin tribe and is traceable as far back as the early 1500s. The translation of the word \u201cpecane\u201d<\/em> roughly translates to \u201ca nut that requires a stone to crack it,\u201d <\/em>which seems a pretty fair description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first pecans to be intentionally planted happened in 1772 at Long Island, NY. Increasing numbers were then planted as their popularity along the Atlantic Seaboard spread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The black walnut (Juglans nigra<\/em>) is native to Eastern America. Other species from the genus Juglans including the English walnut, are not native. These originate in Asia, the West Indies, and southern Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A fully mature pecan tree can reach heights of 130 feet or more, but they usually grow to around 70 to 100 feet. The spread is up to 75 feet, with a trunk of 7 feet in diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mature black walnut trees<\/a> will grow to between 100 to 120 feet in height, but an English walnut is smaller, growing to only 80 feet at maturity. Its trunk will be around 6.6 ft in diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The size a tree reaches depends on many factors, including variety, location, and growing conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically pecan trees will live for between 75 to 250 years, although sometimes they can live for longer in perfect conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Black walnuts can get older than this, reaching an age of around 150 to 400 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An English walnut tree generally doesn\u2019t live so long as its black cousin, reaching around 150 years of age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As with size, longevity relies on the location and growing conditions, and overall health of the tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This will depend on the size of your yard and where you are located. Luckily there are cultivars to suit most situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you only have a small yard, a Pawnee Pecan is an excellent choice, being suitable for people with limited space. This is due to its relatively small size, as it only grows to about 30 feet tall with a similar width. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pawnee grows well from Georgia to Texas and is an exceptional type I pollinator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another small cultivar with compact growth habit is the Cheyenne. It is also a type I pollinator. Remember, you will also require a type II pollinator if you want to produce nuts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This pecan chart<\/a> can help you choose the perfect trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLeaves<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Flowers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Nuts\/Drups<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Bark<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Where Do They Grow?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are They Native To The US?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Big Do They Get?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Long Do They Live?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are They Suitable For Growing In My Yard?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n