Carya illinoinensis
Specifications
Family
Juglandaceae
Species
Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch
pecan
Description
The sapwood is whitish, sometimes with brownish hues, and the heartwood is pale brown to reddish brown, coarse in texture and fairly straight in grain, with a density between 0.65 and 0.75. It tends to warp during processing and is also of modest durability.
Plant morphology
A tree up to 40 m tall, it has an erect trunk that can reach a diameter of 2 m; the bark is fissured and gray-brown in color. The leaves are alternate, composed of 9-17 lanceolate leaflets with serrated edges. A monoecious species, the male inflorescences are borne in pendulous catkins, while the female ones are borne at the tips of some buds. Pollination is anemophilous. The fruit, commonly called a walnut, is actually a drupe.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central and Southern North America: Mexico, from Coahuila to Veracruz, and Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida.
Habitat and ecology
Moderately hygrophilous species, it prefers rich, humid and deep soils near rivers or at the base of hills.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in general carpentry, vehicle parts, furniture, floorboards, handles, sports equipment and is sought after as a fuel for smoking meat.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Climate change could lead to a change in the range of the species.
Conservation measures
This species is kept in at least 91 botanical gardens worldwide (BGCI 2018), and is widely cultivated.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2018
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2018
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
735
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
49
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
89
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
94
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
11930
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant