James Hican

About the James Hican Tree

What do you get when you cross a hickory tree and a pecan tree? A Hican! The James Hican has some of the best attributes of both Shellbark Hickory and Northern Pecan, combining the high quality and rich flavor of pecan with the larger nut size and greater hardiness of hickory. The origin of his cross is a chance seedling found at the George James Farm in Brunswick, Missouri. Introduced in 1928.

The flavor of Hican nuts is comparable to a good Shellbark Hickory and better than many pecans. The nut size is similar to a Jumbo Shellbark Hickory, but the shape is more elongated and rounded similar to a pecan but with definite ridge. The nuts crack easier than Hickory but not as easy as the pecan. It’s an excellent keeper and cracks about 52% meat, which is considered high.

How to Grow the James Hican Tree

The tree is large, similar in size to a pecan and Hickory – both large trees. The general appearance is of a pecan tree. These large nut trees thrive in loose, fertile soil. James is more productive than most Shellbark Hickories and equivalent to some good mid-western pecans. It is cold hardy like a Hickory tree and is resistant to nut canebearer and tolerant to pecan scab, downy spot and mildew. Expect your hican tree to start producing in about 5-6 years.

The James Hican tree is self-fertile in contrast to many other hicans, which need to be cross-pollinated. The flowers are borne on spikes, with more male and female flowers maturing at the same time so they can be pollinated. The hicans ripen in September.

This cross is sure to please both new and experienced nut growers. Delight in the perfect blend of Hickory and Pecan attributes right in your own backyard.