Ah.. I am quite sure the 4th slot in the single CPU 2009 Mac Pro is actually OK for another 16G of RAM, make it 64G max at this moment, but just not optimum for performance.
OK
I have both 12 core and 6 core 09-12 Mac Pro. I did it for myself and concluded that the Max Ram for 6 Core is 64GB (4x16gb) for dual pqi CPUs which means X series Xeon, i.e. X5670, x5690. I used X5670 and concluded the answer. For W series, w3680, w3690 or i7980X, the max Ram is 48GB (3x16gb). Put 64GB won't boot in my W3680 machine.
I remember some one in another thread mentioned "perhaps" have OWC test it with X series Xeon for 64GB on single processor Mac Pro. I am not OWC, but I did the experiment here. My conclusion is 64GB with X...xeon, 48GB with W...xeon or i7 (56GB by OP did with 8GB on 4th slot).
Given the result, it's weird why is that? But the truth is truth here. So people have single processor 09/12 Mac Pro can have 64GB (4x16gb), but remember to upgrade X series instead of W if you really want that 64GB psychologically.