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Forkert Pecan (Carya illinoinensis ‘Forkert’) is a large Gulf Coast pecan tree selected in Jackson County, Mississippi, producing 1- to 3-inch nuts with light to dark amber kernels valued for their rich, buttery flavor and consistent quality under Southern conditions. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 7-9 and AHS heat zones 7-10, and needs 300-850 chill hours, and requires cross-pollination with a compatible variety such as Choctaw Pecan or Kiowa Pecan for reliable nut set.
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.
Forkert pecan was discovered and introduced by C. Forkert of Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi. Nuts giving rise to the cultivar were reportedly planted around 1913, and the Forkert nursery began propagating it in the 1920s, initially distributing it as a yard tree across south Mississippi. Parentage has not been formally published, though isozyme and microsatellite analyses have confirmed its identity in the USDA germplasm collection. Louisiana State University’s Pecan Research-Extension Station near Shreveport evaluated Forkert across decades of humid-belt trials and placed it among the cultivars suited to Gulf Coast growing conditions; LSU extension publications have included it in recommended lists for Louisiana home and small-farm orchards. As a Mississippi Gulf Coast selection from the same era as Stuart and Schley, Forkert emerged from the 1890-to-1930s period when most southeastern pecan cultivars were selected from seedling orchards rather than controlled crosses. It carries moderate susceptibility to pecan scab and occupies a practical mid-tier niche: commercially viable nut size and annual bearing reliability in the hands of attentive growers.
Forkert matures into a large, spreading shade tree reaching 70–100 feet tall on deep, moist, well-drained soils — bottomland loam or alluvial clay is where it historically excels. Hardy from USDA zones 6–9, it is particularly at home in the long, hot summers of the coastal South and lower Mississippi Valley, and adequate summer heat will ripen its nuts reliably across the suitable range. Deep, well-structured soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0 and consistent moisture support the vigorous root system this tree develops in its first decade. Shallow, compacted, or gravelly soils produce stunted growth and erratic yields. Plan for significant vertical and lateral space: mature canopy spread can match or exceed height. Foliar zinc sulfate applications are essential throughout the growing season, as zinc deficiency — expressed as small, mottled "rosette" leaves — is the single most common nutritional failure in pecan culture across all soil types. Growth rate is moderate; first meaningful nut crops typically begin at year 6–8, with full production maturing over 10–15 years. Patience and consistent nutrition set the ceiling for long-term yield.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9 AHS Heat Zone: 7-10 Chill Hours: 300-850 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: 60-80 ft apart
Forkert is a full-canopy deciduous tree with the imposing stature characteristic of Carya illinoinensis — pinnately compound leaves 12–20 inches long, each composed of 9–17 slightly curved, lanceolate leaflets that cast dense summer shade. The foliage emerges medium green in spring and turns yellow-gold before leaf drop in autumn. Bark is gray-brown and develops deep, interlocking ridges with age. Growth rate is moderate for the species, producing a broadly rounded to spreading crown that widens substantially at maturity. As a Type II (protogynous) flowering type, Forkert's pistillate flowers become receptive before its catkins release pollen, making an overlapping Type I companion essential. The tree is deciduous, cold-hardy through zones 6–9, and exhibits the low salt tolerance and low wind tolerance typical of pecan in exposed or coastal-edge conditions. Wildlife value is high: the nuts draw squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, woodpeckers, crows, raccoons, and opossums, making Forkert a productive anchor for food forest canopy layers.
Mature Height: 70-100 ft tall Mature Spread: 40-75 ft wide Growth Habit: Upright, oval crown; large deciduous tree Growth Rate: Moderate Foliage Type: Deciduous Food Forest Layer: Canopy Permaculture Role: Canopy/overstory tree; nut crop; wildlife habitat; mast provider; shade Attracts Wildlife: Squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, crows, woodpeckers, songbirds, opossums, raccoons Life Span: 100-200+ years
Forkert 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 7 - May 15 and its receptive window is May 2 - May 8. Reliable crops need a compatible cross-pollinizer whose pollen shed overlaps that receptive window. Best matches from the current article matrix: Sumner (Type II), McMillan (Type II), Choctaw (Type II). 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 7 - May 15; receptive: May 2 - May 8 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 Flower Color: Yellow-green Ploidy: Diploid (2n=32)
Forkert produces medium to medium-large nuts in the 1–3 inch range, with a moderately thin shell and good kernel fill under favorable growing conditions. The kernels are golden and richly flavored — the characteristic buttery, slightly sweet pecan flavor profile that has made Gulf Coast cultivars cornerstones of Southern pastry and confectionery traditions. Forkert nuts shell out cleanly when properly cured and store well for several months under cool, dry conditions or longer when frozen. Culinary applications span the full range of pecan use: raw out of hand, candied, toasted as a salad or grain-bowl topping, baked into pies, tarts, and pralines, and ground into pecan meal or butter. The nut crop ripens in the fall — typically October to November depending on latitude — and drops from splitting shucks for harvest. Forkert's primary distinction is its adaptation to the Gulf Coast humid belt, where it produces reliably in conditions that challenge many other high-quality cultivars.
Ripening Season: Late Harvest Window: Early Oct - Early Nov Fruit Size: 1-3 inch Fruit Weight: 8-9 g (approx.; 53 nuts/lb) Flavor: Rich, buttery, sweet pecan flavor; high-quality kernel Fruit Color: Tan/brown shell; kernel light to dark amber Bearing Habit: Alternate bearing; moderate alternate bearing index (0.53) Years to Bear: 6-10 years Yield: 23 Culinary Uses: Fresh eating (in-shell), baking (pecan pie, pralines, cookies, cakes), candies, ice cream, salads, cooking oil
Forkert carries moderate susceptibility to pecan scab (Venturia effusa), the most economically important pecan disease in humid climates. This is not a disqualifying trait but it does demand proactive cultural management: maintain open canopy structure through selective limb removal to promote airflow, remove fallen leaf and shuck debris promptly in autumn to reduce overwintering inoculum, and choose planting sites with good natural air drainage rather than low-lying pockets where humidity lingers. On resistant varieties these practices are optional; on Forkert they are standard protocol. Downy spot (Mycosphaerella caryigena), vein spot (Gnomonia nerviseda), and zonate leaf spot (Cristulariella moricola) may appear but rarely reach economically significant levels under good cultural management. Powdery mildew (Microsphaera penicillata) is similarly a minor secondary concern in most seasons. On the pest side, pecan weevil (Curculio caryae), nut casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella), hickory shuckworm (Cydia caryana), and black pecan aphid (Melanocallis caryaefoliae) are the primary insects to monitor. Kaolin clay barriers, sticky tree banding, and timed releases of parasitic wasps (Trichogramma spp.) offer organic management options. Maintaining zinc nutrition keeps the tree vigorous and less vulnerable to secondary stress from pest feeding.
Foliar zinc from bud break: Apply zinc sulfate at bud break and repeat every 2–3 weeks through midsummer — zinc deficiency is the most common yield-limiter on Forkert and responds to correction.
Plant a companion at establishment: Site Desirable, Pawnee, or Caddo within 150–200 feet at planting — retrofitting pollinator placement after years of poor set is a costly mistake.
Annual dormant pruning: Prune each dormant season to open the canopy — Forkert's moderate scab susceptibility is manageable with good airflow, but only with consistent annual thinning.
Choose deep, well-drained soil: Select a site with deep bottomland or alluvial soil; shallow rocky ground constrains taproot development and compounds disease pressure during drought.
Long-horizon investment: First nuts arrive at years 6–8 and full yields take 10–15 years — avoid heavy nitrogen early, which promotes shoots at the expense of root establishment.
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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