The Lakota pecan is a hybrid tree in the walnut family (Juglandaceae) that was introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Service in 2007. It is a cross between the 'Mahan' x 'Major' cultivars and selected for release due to its potential high yield, nut quality and tree strength. The Lakota was named in the tradition of naming pecans cultivars after Native American Indian tribes. Lakota is a type-II pecan and will require planting with a type-I tree for pollination. As an early harvest cultivar it matches well with early type-I cultivars such as 'Byrd', 'Mandan', 'Pawnee', and 'Desirable'. Fruit yields are high early in younger trees, but research suggests cluster size will need to be crop thinned to maintain high fruit yields over time. The Lakota is a vigorous grower, with an upright structure that is wind and scab resistant. It thrives in well-drained soil in full sun. A moderate to fast grower, it will grow 70 to 100 feet tall with a canopy width between 40-75 feet wide. Fruit kernels are light golden with an excellent flavor. Harvest time is between late-September and mid-October. This tree requires open spaces due to its large size and requirement of multiple cultivars for good nut production. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound Leaflets are falcate, crenate Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Lakota pecans are highly resistant to pecan scab the most perilous pecan disease. Other potential pests and problems include aphids, walnut caterpillars, pecan weevils, stinkbugs and caterpillars. Other diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf scorch, and downy spot. See Clemson's publication on diseases of pecans . More information on Carya illinoinensis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCarya illinoinensis 'Elliot'Juglans nigra 'Thomas'Tilia americana
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
24-60 feet; more than 60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 70 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in. | Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Oval; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, medium green, 4-8" pinnately compound leaf with 9-17 leaflets; yellow fall color. Leaflets are lanceolate with serrate margins. Midrib of leaf and leaflets may be curved. Fewer and longer leaflets than black walnut.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Catkin
Flower detail
Insignificant, monoecious, appear April-May. Male flowers are 4"-long yellow-green catkins, female flowers are shorter spikes.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan; Green
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Produces medium-sized, thin-shelled, teardrop-shaped nuts with a light golden kernel, high oil content and a rich, buttery flavor. Matures late September
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Grey-brown bark and rectangular furrows.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Grey-brown stems, raised lenticels, and pubescent buds in a U-shaped leaf scar.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Central & E. Central U.S.A to Mexico
Wildlife value
Fruits feed small mammals and some birds. Larval host plant to the Luna moth. This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed.