Carya illinoinensis Gloria Grande

Gloria Grande Pecan

Carya illinoinensis ‘Gloria Grande’
Gloria Grande Pecan / Northern Pecan

Carya illinoinensis ‘Gloria Grande’ is a large deciduous nut tree and pecan cultivar selected for the southeastern United States. It develops a broad, symmetrical, oval crown with compound green foliage and produces thin-shelled pecans that mature in fall. NC State Extension notes that ‘Gloria Grande’ was discovered in Elloree, South Carolina, introduced in 1923, and usually bears yearly, unlike many pecans that alternate more heavily.

Type: Deciduous nut tree
Mature Size: 40–75 ft. wide × 75–100 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 6a–9b; often best in Zones 7a–9b depending on season length
Form: Large shade / nut tree with a uniform, broadly oval crown
Light: Full sun; tolerates light shade but produces best in sun
Soil / Water: Deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil; adaptable to clay, sand, or loam if drainage is good; drought tolerant once established
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; separate male catkins and female flowers, wind-pollinated, not showy
Wildlife: Nuts are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, deer, turkey, and other wildlife; foliage can support some native insects, and large trees provide cover and nesting habitat.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Good for large yards, orchards, edible landscapes, wildlife plantings, farms, and shade where there is plenty of room. ‘Gloria Grande’ is valued for thin-shelled nuts, high scab resistance, and dependable production. NC State describes it as the most scab-resistant pecan variety and notes that nuts mature in October. Plant Me Green lists it as averaging about 49 nuts per pound with about 50% shelling percentage.

Pollination:
‘Gloria Grande’ is a Type II pecan, meaning female flowers are receptive before pollen is shed. It needs a compatible Type I pecan nearby for good nut production. NC State lists suitable pollinizers including ‘Cherryl’, ‘Desirable’, ‘Gafford’, and ‘Mandan’, and recommends planting at least three cultivars with both pollination types for best cross-pollination.

Care:
Plant in full sun with deep, well-drained soil and avoid transplanting once established because pecans develop a deep taproot. Water regularly during establishment and during drought while nuts are sizing. Fertilize in spring as needed based on soil testing. Prune in late winter to remove weak, damaged, or crossing limbs and to develop strong structure. Watch for aphids, pecan weevil, stink bugs, twig girdlers, fall webworms, phylloxera, and scab, though ‘Gloria Grande’ is notably scab resistant. 

Plant type

Nut Tree

Height

75-100'

Width

40-75'

Hardiness zones

6–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Spring

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Attracts

Birds, Squirrels

Soil

Humus rich, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Nuts, Provide Shade

Shape

Oval, Oval Upright

Drought tolerant

No