Did You Know?
The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is the Texas state tree, the state nut and pecan pie is the state pie. Although it is the state nut, the pecan is not a true nut, it is the seed of a fruit (a drupe) similar to the almond and the cashew which are also the seed of a fruit. Pecans are closely related to hickory and will hybridize resulting in a fruit called a hickan. Pecan wood makes beautiful furniture and is the go-to wood for many bar-b-ques.
Types of Pecan
Pecans are broadly classified by the order in which their flowers mature – some produce male flowers first (protoandrous) called type 1 and others female flowers first (protogynous) called type 2. This means that pecans have limited self-pollination and pollinate best with trees of the opposite type. Orchards are usually planted with some of each type. Pecans are wind pollinated so if there are some pecans in the area, a single tree will usually produce a crop. There are many improved varieties of pecans – often named after native American tribes. In our area, varieties resistant to pecan scab disease are recommended. Some of the varieties that have done well in our orchard include Caddo, Kanza, Lakota, and Mandan.
When to Plant
Pecans can be grown from seed planted in the fall (squirrels do this for me) however, the quality of the fruit will be unknown for several years and may be poor. Pecan seedlings are therefore usually grafted with a known improved variety. These grafted trees also usually come into production earlier. Trees are best planted in the fall to early winter when the trees are dormant. Pecans prefer deep soils with consistent water and native pecans often grow along watersheds. Pecan trees will grow to 50 feet tall and wide or larger and must have full sunlight to produce well so they require quite a bit of space.
Harvest and Storage
Pecan harvest runs through much of the fall months depending on variety. When the pecans mature, the outer fruit – the shuck – splits open allowing the seeds to fall. Commercially, pecans are removed from the trees by big shakers attached to tractors then they are swept up off the orchard floor. At home, pecans are mostly picked up off the ground or whacked with a long pole to make them fall. If the pecans are a bit moist, they can be air dried for a week or so to improve their quality before cracking and shelling. Pecans can be stored for a few weeks in the pantry. They should be frozen for longer term storage. For longest storage, pecans should be frozen in the shell.
By: Michael Vidrine