Pecan Trees for Sale

The Texas State Tree: A Native That Produces

The Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) holds the distinction of being the official state tree of Texas, and nowhere does it grow better than in the rich bottomland soils of the Gulf Coast. For homeowners in Houston, Katy, and Richmond, a Pecan tree offers the rare combination of massive shade canopy, outstanding fall color, and a yearly harvest of delicious nuts. Bill Bownds Nursery has been supplying Pecan trees to Southeast Texas landscapes for decades, and we carry the improved varieties that are best suited to our local conditions.

Unlike wild or "native" seedling pecans, the improved grafted varieties we sell produce larger, thinner-shelled nuts with a higher percentage of kernel meat. They also tend to mature faster and produce more consistently than seedling trees.

Recommended Varieties for Houston Area

We carry varieties that have proven themselves in the Houston, Katy, and Richmond climate. When selecting a Pecan variety, consider that most improved varieties require a pollination partner of a different type for best nut production:

• Desirable: The standard by which other paper-shell pecans are judged. Large, high-quality nuts. Reliable producer in Southeast Texas. Type I pollinator.
• Cheyenne: Early-maturing with excellent nut quality. More compact than some varieties. Type I pollinator.
• Caddo: High yields, scab-resistant, and well-adapted to our humid climate. Type II pollinator, making it an excellent companion for Desirable.
• Pawnee: Early ripening with large nuts. One of the first to produce in the season. Type I pollinator.
• Kiowa: Very large nuts, heavy producer, and good scab resistance for the Gulf Coast. Type II pollinator.

For best pollination and nut production, plant at least two different varieties. We can help you select the right pairing for your property.

Growth Timeline and Mature Size

Pecan trees are large, long-lived trees that require patience but reward you for decades:

• Year 1-3: Establishment period. The tree develops its deep taproot and begins building its scaffold branches. Expect 2 to 3 feet of height growth per year.
• Year 3-7: Growth accelerates to 3 to 4 feet per year. The canopy begins to fill in. Improved grafted varieties may produce their first small crop as early as year 4 to 5.
• Year 7-15: The tree reaches 30 to 50 feet tall. Nut production increases each year. By year 10, you can expect a meaningful harvest.
• Year 15-30: The tree approaches its mature canopy size. Peak nut production occurs during this period, with yields of 50 to 100 pounds or more per tree annually.
• Mature size: 70 to 100 feet tall with a crown spread of 40 to 75 feet. Pecan trees are among the largest trees you can plant in a Houston landscape. Plan accordingly.

Planting Guide for Texas Clay Soil

Pecan trees have a deep taproot and an extensive lateral root system. They are native to river bottomlands with deep alluvial soils, but they adapt well to Houston-area clay with proper planting technique:

Site Selection

• Full sun is essential. Pecans need maximum sunlight for nut production and canopy health.
• Plant in the largest open area available. Mature Pecans need 40 to 50 feet of clearance in all directions.
• Pecans tolerate periodic flooding but not constantly waterlogged soil. Low-lying areas with seasonal flooding are fine; permanent wet spots are not.
• Keep trees at least 30 feet from structures, driveways, and septic systems. The roots are aggressive.

Planting Steps

• Dig the hole 3 times wider than the root ball and 1.5 times as deep. This is the one exception to the "no deeper than root ball" rule: Pecan taproots need room to grow downward in clay soil.
• Loosen the clay at the bottom of the hole with a shovel or digging fork.
• Set the tree so the graft union is 2 to 3 inches above the soil surface.
• Backfill with native soil, watering as you fill to eliminate air pockets.
• Apply 4 to 6 inches of mulch in a wide ring. Pecans benefit from a larger mulched area than most trees.
• Water deeply and thoroughly at planting.

Care and Maintenance

Watering

Young Pecan trees need deep watering twice per week during the growing season for the first three years. Even after establishment, Pecan trees benefit from supplemental irrigation, especially during summer drought and during the nut-filling stage in August and September. A water-stressed Pecan will drop its developing nuts. For nut production, consistent moisture is more important than for most other landscape trees.

Fertilizing

Pecan trees are heavy feeders and require more fertilization than most shade trees:

• Apply a complete fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring based on trunk diameter: approximately 1 pound per inch of trunk caliper.
• Apply zinc sulfate in spring and again in early summer. Zinc deficiency is the most common nutritional problem for Pecans in Southeast Texas, causing a condition called "rosette" where leaves cluster in short tufts.
• A foliar spray of zinc sulfate (2 tablespoons per gallon of water) applied to new leaves in April and May is highly effective.

Pruning

Prune Pecan trees in late winter (January to February) while dormant. Focus on developing a strong central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches during the first 5 to 7 years. Remove crossing branches, water sprouts, and dead wood. Mature trees require less pruning. Refer to our blog for detailed pruning guides.

Pest Management

Pecan trees in the Houston area face several common pests including pecan nut casebearer, fall webworm, and pecan weevil. An annual spray program may be necessary for reliable nut production. Scab, a fungal disease, is managed by selecting resistant varieties and maintaining good air circulation through proper pruning.

Container Sizes Available

Bill Bownds Nursery carries improved grafted Pecan varieties in these sizes:

• 15-gallon: 5 to 7 feet tall. An economical starting point. These young trees establish quickly and can begin producing in 4 to 6 years.
• 30-gallon: 7 to 10 feet tall. Our most popular size for homeowners. Well-developed root systems and strong trunks.
• 45-gallon: 10 to 12 feet tall. Significant head start on growth and production.
• 65-gallon: 12 to 14 feet tall. Large enough to make an immediate statement in the landscape.
• 95-gallon: 14 to 16 feet tall. Premium specimens with substantial trunk caliper. May produce nuts within 2 to 3 years of planting.

Variety availability varies by season. Contact us for current stock. Available for retail purchase and wholesale orders.

Delivery and Professional Installation

Pecan trees in larger containers are heavy and require equipment for transport and planting. Bill Bownds Nursery provides delivery and installation throughout Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Fulshear, Rosenberg, and surrounding areas. Our crews will excavate the planting hole to the correct dimensions, place the tree with the graft union at the proper height, and ensure thorough watering at installation. We also provide written aftercare instructions specific to Pecan trees.

Pecan trees make an excellent addition to a diverse landscape. Combine them with Live Oaks for a classic Texas look, or underplant with Crape Myrtles for summer color beneath the Pecan's high canopy. For evergreen screening alongside your pecan orchard, consider Eagleston Holly or Magnolias.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pecan Trees

How fast do Pecan trees grow in Houston?

Pecan trees are vigorous growers in the Houston area, adding 2 to 4 feet of height per year once their root system is established. Young Pecan trees focus heavily on root development during the first year, so above-ground growth may be modest initially. By the second and third year, growth accelerates significantly. Pecan trees benefit enormously from Houston's long, hot growing season and the deep moisture reserves of our clay soils. A 30-gallon Pecan planted today will be a recognizable shade tree within five years, and most varieties begin producing a light nut crop within 5 to 7 years. Full nut production typically begins at 8 to 12 years of age. Mature Pecan trees reach 70 to 100 feet tall with a canopy spread of 40 to 75 feet.

What size Pecan tree should I buy?

For most homeowners, a 30- or 45-gallon Pecan tree provides the best combination of affordability and early establishment. These sizes (8 to 12 feet tall) have enough root mass to handle the transplant and begin growing strongly in the first season. If you want nut production sooner, our larger 65- and 95-gallon Pecans are closer to bearing age and will begin producing within a few years of planting. For orchard-scale plantings or large properties, 15-gallon trees offer the best per-tree value. When selecting a variety, consider whether you want improved cultivars like Desirable or Pawnee for large, thin-shelled nuts, or native seedling Pecans for lower maintenance and reliable shade. Our team at Bill Bownds Nursery can help you choose the right variety for your goals.

Do Pecan trees grow well in clay soil?

Pecan trees are native to the river bottoms and flood plains of Texas and are naturally adapted to heavy clay soils with periodic flooding. In fact, Pecan trees thrive in Houston-area clay — their deep taproots penetrate well below the clay layer to reach the water table, making them surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. The main challenge with clay is ensuring the planting hole does not become a basin that holds water around the trunk. Plant at grade or slightly above, dig the hole wide rather than deep, and avoid soil amendments. Native Pecan varieties are generally more clay-adapted than some grafted cultivars, though all Pecans sold at Bill Bownds Nursery are acclimated to local soil conditions.

How much do Pecan trees cost?

Pecan tree pricing at Bill Bownds Nursery varies by container size and whether the tree is a native seedling or a named grafted cultivar. Grafted varieties like Desirable, Pawnee, and Cheyenne are priced higher than native seedlings because they produce predictable, high-quality nuts and require grafting skill to produce. Native seedling Pecans offer excellent shade at a lower price point. Volume discounts are available for orchard plantings and large property orders. For current pricing on specific varieties and sizes, call (281) 277-2033 or visit us at 2110 Cedar Lane in Katy. We maintain a large Pecan inventory and can typically fill orders of any size.

Do you deliver Pecan trees to Houston, Katy, and Richmond?

Yes, Bill Bownds Nursery delivers Pecan trees to Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and all surrounding areas. Pecan trees in larger containers are heavy and require proper equipment for safe transport and planting. Our delivery and installation crew handles Pecan trees regularly and knows the correct planting techniques for our clay soil. Professional installation is especially recommended for 45-gallon and larger Pecan trees, where correct planting depth is critical for long-term health. See our retail services page for delivery details and our one-year health guarantee on professionally installed trees.