Native to North America, pecan trees are part of the hickory and walnut family. Pecans were originally gathered for eating, but have been grown in orchards since the 19th century.
Description
Pecan trees can reach 70 to 10 feet tall with a trunk 6 feet in diameter. Each leaf has nine to 15 mini-leaves with separate male and female flowers. Nuts grow inside a green pod in clumps of two to six. A pecan can take up to 12 years to produce nuts and continue to produce them for over 300 years.
Family
The pecan is part of the Juglandacae family which includes English walnut and hickory. It is native to North America, especially Mississippi; pecans are the state tree of Texas.
Growing
Most pecans are produced in the south-central United States; according to the Texas Pecan Growers' Association, the USA provides at least 80% of all pecans. Others are grown in Australia, South America, South Africa and Israel.
Problems
Mistletoe can colonize pecan trees, and squirrels raid nuts while breaking twigs. Deer, birds, insects and numerous diseases can also affect pecans: examples are pecan leaf scorch, nursery blight and nematodes.
Fun Fact
Native Americans have been eating pecan nuts for centuries (the tree is named for an Algonquin word). Cultivation of the nut started in the 19th century when the cultivar Centennial was first grafted. There are now over 1000 cultivars.
Tags: pecan, tree, 19th century, have been, North America, pecan trees
