Hicans are hybrids between the Pecan (Carya illinoensis) and other Hickories, usually the shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) or the shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa). The selected cultivars aim to have the hardiness of the hickory and the taste and productivity of the Pecan. They leaf out mid season in the uk (Mid April – May usually) and need a sunny sheltered site with plenty of room, they can grown to 15m+ high and wide.
We generally have 4 varieties available in very limited numbers. De Smallekamp have other varieties which we will be able to get in future years we hope, it is recommended that you order a couple of trees to aid pollination, it may be that other hickories will also pollinate these trees.
Hicans have a reputation for being slow to fruit, time will tell. We have no Hicans available in 2021.
| Variety | Description | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton | Self-fertile and pretty prolific producer of medium size hickory flavoured buttery pecan nuts , produces after 7-10 years. Nuts drop free of husks. | Summer 2022 | |
| Marquardt | Old Shellbark Hican from Illinois that is rarely available even in N.America, partly self-fertile with larger nuts but fully filled. | Summer 2022 | |
| NT 92 (T-92) | Produces large nuts with a good quality kernel. Probably the best and most prolific hybrid, needs pollinating. |  | Summer 2022 |
| Vernon | Found by Jim Wilson 12 miles N of Nevada, on a upland creek among pecan trees, nearest shellback hickory over half a mile. 46 nuts/lb, 50% kernel, very good taste, vigorous growth. |