Pecan Varieties
Popular pecan nut cultivars in South Africa:
WICHITA
Wichita, undoubtedly the most productive cultivar in South African orchards, starts bearing fruit early as a mature tree. It boasts a high shelling percentage. However, its slightly curved nut shape and tightly fitting core make it challenging to mechanically harvest. Limiting factors include poor shelling accuracy and zinc deficiency.
WESTERN
Western is acknowledged as a “no-nonsense tree. Western trees exhibit excellent cold resistance and develop sturdy, well-structured branches.
UKULINGA
Ukulinga is a robust cultivar known for its excellent resistance to scab, making it the top choice for high rainfall regions in South Africa. Its production remains consistently high, with minimal formation of dull nuts.
PAWNEE
Pawnee stands out for its ability to tolerate cold weather, making it an excellent choice for regions prone to late or early frost. With a short growing season, this cultivar’s nuts ripen earlier than any other, prolonging the harvest time and reducing harvest stress. The nuts are large and of good quality, but full production is not achieved until the trees mature.
CHOCTAW
Choctaw is a vigorous grower that yields large nuts with thin shells. It boasts a good shelling percentage and produces a high percentage of extra-large whole halves.
BARTON
Barton consistently produces high-quality nuts with a thin shell, making it an ideal cultivar for the shelling market. This variety yields medium-sized nuts and a high percentage of intact halves.