Pecan
Desirable Pollination Guide
Desirable requires a compatible pollination partner to produce fruit.
Without a different compatible variety nearby, Desirable will bloom but won't set fruit. You need at least one partner variety planted within 50–100 feet. Choose from the compatible varieties listed below — they bloom at the right time and have compatible genetics.
Desirable Quick Facts
Chill Hours
300 hours
Hardiness Zones
6, 7, 8, 9
Harvest
October to November
Pollination Note
Type I (protandrous) — sheds pollen before pistils are receptive. Needs a Type II (protogynous) variety like Stuart or Sumner nearby.
Planning Your Orchard
Pecans use a Type I/Type II dichogamy system. Type I (protandrous) sheds pollen first, Type II (protogynous) is receptive first. Plant one of each type within 50 feet for reliable nut set.
Browse our orchard planning guide or explore the full permanent plant catalog to find the right varieties for your garden.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Compatible Pollination Partners
Can I Grow Desirable?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Desirable. Use GPS, map, or zip code for an instant answer.
Check your location →Interactive Pollination Checker
Compare pollination compatibility across all 85+ fruit varieties in our database.
Open checker →Most people forget within a year.
Which pairs fruited well, what bloomed when, what you did each season — write it down from the start.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
About Desirable
Desirable is the pecan that lives up to its name — large, thin-shelled nuts with rich flavor and high kernel percentage. It's the most widely planted pecan variety in the Southeast and the standard for quality.
Growing Challenges
Highly susceptible to pecan scab in humid climates; requires cross-pollination with a Type II variety; slow to bear (7-10 years).
Frequently Asked Questions
How close does a pollinator need to be to Desirable?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Desirable. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Desirable tree?
No — Desirable requires a compatible pollination partner to produce fruit. Without a second tree of a different variety nearby, it will bloom but won't set fruit.
Other Pecan Varieties
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Desirable?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.