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Avalon Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a pecan tree prized for strong Pecan Scab resistance. This Type II protogynous variety requires a Type I companion such as Desirable or Pawnee planted within 50 feet for reliable nut production.
3-4′ Bare Root Grafted Tree Rootstock: Pecan Seedling
Pecan Seedling (Standard): Grafted onto a pecan seedling, so the tree reaches its full natural size on a deep taproot. No dwarfing effect.
• Support: Freestanding; the deep taproot gives excellent anchorage.
Avalon Pecan is a University of Georgia release developed through the USDA–UGA cooperative pecan breeding program, which has long focused on combining disease resistance with commercial-grade nut quality for southeastern growing conditions. The variety carries a plant patent owned by the University of Georgia Research Foundation, placing it among a newer wave of proprietary southern pecans bred to address the persistent challenge of Pecan Scab pressure that constrains production across the humid Southeast.
Avalon’s most notable attribute is its strong resistance to Pecan Scab (Venturia effusa), the fungal disease that limits the commercial viability of susceptible cultivars in high-humidity regions. Parentage details have not been widely published, which is common for newer proprietary UGA releases, but the breeding trajectory reflects the program’s emphasis on scab tolerance as the primary selection criterion alongside acceptable nut size and yield.
Avalon Pecan reaches 70–100 feet at full maturity, so site selection with ample horizontal and vertical clearance is essential from the outset — planting too close to structures or other trees creates long-term management problems. Deep, well-drained alluvial soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0 support the root system's deep taproot, which makes transplanting of older stock inadvisable. Full sun is non-negotiable; partial shade significantly reduces nut production and overall tree vigor.
This is a high-care cultivar, particularly in the first five to eight years while the canopy develops. The AHS Heat Zone rating of 9–3 indicates suitability across the warm temperate South and into the mid-Atlantic. Salt tolerance is low, so avoid sites with saline irrigation water or roadway salt runoff. Wind tolerance is also low, meaning shelter from prevailing winds aids establishment. In a Zone 7 temperate climate, spring leafout typically aligns with warming soils in April. Foliar zinc sulfate applications are a foundational cultural practice for pecans on any soil, as zinc deficiency causes rosette and suppresses both growth and yield.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9 AHS Heat Zone: 3-9 Chill Hours: 600-800 Sun Requirements: Full Sun Soil pH: 5.5-7.0 Soil Type: Deep, fertile sandy loam to clay loam; native to bottomland alluvial soils Soil Drainage: Well-drained to moderately well-drained Water Requirements: Medium Drought Tolerance: Moderate Plant Spacing: 40-50 ft apart
Like all Carya illinoinensis, Avalon develops a large, spreading canopy reaching 70–100 feet tall with a broad crown that casts deep shade in maturity — a trait that defines its role in the landscape as a long-lived canopy anchor. The tree is fully deciduous, dropping its compound pinnate leaves in autumn after nut harvest. Growth rate is moderate, which is somewhat faster than some older heritage cultivars but still means growers should plan for a multi-year establishment period before significant crops appear.
Avalon is native to the central and eastern North American pecan belt, and its mature canopy becomes a wildlife magnet: squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, woodpeckers, crows, raccoons, and opossums all exploit the annual nut drop. Deer browse on young shoots and foliage, so new plantings benefit from trunk protection. From a permaculture standpoint, Avalon functions simultaneously as a food crop, wildlife habitat, shade source, windbreak, and food-forest canopy layer — a genuinely multi-functional tree once it reaches bearing age.
Avalon is a Type II (protogynous) pecan, meaning it has receptive female flowers before its own catkins shed pollen. In the current pecan pollination chart, its pollen-shed window is May 2 - May 8 and its receptive window is Apr 24 - Apr 30. Reliable crops need a compatible cross-pollinizer whose pollen shed overlaps that receptive window. Best matches from the current article matrix: Cape Fear (Type I), Desirable (Type I), Jackson (Type I). Pecans are wind-pollinated; plant compatible varieties in the same yard, food forest, or orchard block with open airflow rather than relying on an unknown tree several properties away.
Bloom Season: Late Bloom Window: Pollen shed: May 2 - May 8; receptive: Apr 24 - Apr 30 Pollination Requirements: Cross-pollination required; Type II (protogynous): becomes receptive first, then sheds pollen later; needs a compatible cross-pollinizer whose pollen shed overlaps its receptive window Pollination Mechanism: Wind-pollinated Ploidy: Diploid (2n)
Avalon produces nuts in the medium to large size range, consistent with newer UGA releases bred for commercial appeal in the southeastern market. The kernel quality is good, with the smooth, buttery flavor characteristic of improved Carya illinoinensis cultivars selected for fresh-market and processing use. Variety-specific weight and kernel percentage data are not widely published for Avalon at this time, but the breeding program's standards target kernel percentages competitive with established commercial cultivars.
Pecan is one of North America's most versatile edible nuts: fresh out of hand, roasted, incorporated into baked goods and pecan pies, folded into pralines and confections, tossed into salads, or pressed for oil. Avalon's scab resistance means that in humid climates where susceptible varieties produce shriveled or discolored kernels, Avalon has a practical quality advantage that translates directly to usable harvest.
Ripening Season: Mid Harvest Window: Early Oct - Mid Oct Fruit Weight: 9.7 g Flavor: Buttery, full flavor Fruit Color: Cream to golden kernel; no veining or spotting Fruit Texture: Solid, well-filled kernels; shells out well into complete halves Bearing Habit: High-yielding, easy-keeping, even bearing Years to Bear: 5-7 years Yield: High; precocious; averaged 53 lbs/tree for years 6–8 vs. 13 lbs/tree for Desirable in same period
Pecan Scab (Venturia effusa) is the defining disease challenge in the humid South, and Avalon's strong resistance is its most commercially significant trait — growers in high-rainfall zones can expect substantially cleaner crops than with susceptible varieties, and organic or low-spray management becomes more practical. Downy Spot (Mycosphaerella caryigena), Vein Spot (Gnomonia nerviseda), Zonate Leaf Spot (Cristulariella moricola), and Powdery Mildew (Microsphaera penicillata) are all present in the eastern pecan belt; variety-specific resistance data for Avalon on these four diseases is not yet well-documented, so applying general pecan IPM — canopy thinning to improve airflow, timely leaf debris removal, and avoiding overhead irrigation — is the recommended baseline.
For Pecan Weevil (Curculio caryae), Pecan Nut Casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella), and Hickory Shuckworm (Cydia caryana), Avalon has no documented variety-level resistance; use Surround WP kaolin clay barrier applications timed to weevil egg-laying, pheromone monitoring traps for casebearer, and spinosad or Bt treatments for caterpillar-stage shuckworm. Black Pecan Aphid (Melanocallis caryaefoliae) is a notable susceptibility — reflective mulch, sticky barriers around trunks, and early-season scouting to catch colony buildup before midsummer leaf damage occurs are the primary organic management tools.
Scab advantage in humid climates: Avalon's strong resistance to Pecan Scab (Venturia effusa) is its biggest practical benefit — in the Southeast, this alone justifies the selection over susceptible varieties that require frequent fungicide cover.
Black Pecan Aphid watch: Avalon shows susceptibility to Black Pecan Aphid (Melanocallis caryaefoliae); begin scouting in midsummer and deploy reflective mulch or sticky trunk barriers early, before colonies reach damaging density.
Weevil and casebearer barrier: Apply Surround WP (kaolin clay) timed to nut sizing to deter Pecan Weevil and Pecan Nut Casebearer without synthetic inputs; reapply after rain events.
Foliar zinc is essential: Pecan is highly sensitive to zinc deficiency, which causes rosette, stunted leaflets, and sharply reduced yields; apply foliar zinc sulfate at budbreak and again in early summer every season.
Plan for a long wait: Most pecan cultivars require 6–10 years from planting to reach meaningful production; Avalon is no exception — select a permanent site and commit to establishment care rather than expecting early crops.
Alternate bearing management: Pecans commonly exhibit on/off year bearing cycles; thinning heavy crop loads in "on" years by shaking limbs or mechanical means helps moderate the cycle and maintains tree vigor for the following season.
We ship in late winter or early spring based on your USDA hardiness zone.
We strive to ship orders on the scheduled dates listed in the table below. However, please note that the actual shipping date may be subject to change due to factors like weather conditions and order volume.
The specific date for shipping your order will be determined according to your zipcode at the time of checkout.
Our plants are shipped bare root, packed in moist sawdust, and securely wrapped in plastic to prevent the roots from drying out. We use USPS Ground Advantage for shipping, ensuring that your plants typically arrive within 2-5 days after packaging.
In case you're unable to plant the trees immediately upon arrival, we recommend soaking them in water for a few hours and temporarily heeling them in. Ideally, they should be planted within three days of receipt for optimal health.
Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:
You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.
If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital
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