Pawnee Pecan: The First Trial in Sakarya and a Long Wait Ahead

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis 'Pawnee') — still largely unknown in Turkey, with serious cultivation attempts only beginning in the last decade in southeastern regions. I planted 5 Pawnee + 1 Choctaw (Type I/Type II pollination pair) in a sunny open spot in 2024, sourced from a nursery in Antalya. Two years in: healthy growth, no disease, no flowers yet (normal — expect 3–5 years). The honest question: will Sakarya's summers be long and warm enough for nut maturation? Pawnee is an early-ripening cultivar specifically chosen to improve chances in shorter seasons. Cold hardiness to -20°C removes winter as a concern. This is a long-term experiment — I'll update this page as it develops: first flowers, first fruit, harvest outcomes, winter observations.