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Pecan, Carya Pecan, Engler and Graeb. (Carya olivxformis, Nutt. Hicoria Pecan, Brit.). Plate LXXV, Vol. IV. Of the nuttrees native to North America, the pecan unquestionably ranks first in economic importance. This is true both because of the quantity and value of the wild crop and because of its cultural promise. The acceptability of the quality of the kernel and the relative thinness of shell and ease of cracking in contrast with the other hickories and the native walnuts, have since an early day continued to win favor among consumers, so that the wild crop of Louisiana and Texas long ago assumed commercial importance and for at least thirty years has, in the latter state, been systematically harvested and distributed in carload shipments to northern markets.

Pecan, Carya Pecan, Engler and Graeb. (Carya olivaeformis, Nutt. Hicoria Pecan, Brit.). Plate LXXV, Vol. IV. Of the nuttrees native to North America, the pecan unquestionably ranks first in economic importance. This is true both because of the quantity and value of the wild crop and because of its cultural promise. The acceptability of the quality of the kernel and the relative thinness of shell and ease of cracking in contrast with the other hickories and the native walnuts, have since an early day continued to win favor among consumers, so that the wild crop of Louisiana and Texas long ago assumed commercial importance and for at least thirty years has, in the latter state, been systematically harvested and distributed in carload shipments to northern markets.

The relatively wide climatic range of the species and the extent of variation in form, size, and quality of nut have stimulated effort to develop methods of nursery propagation in widely separated localities. This has resulted in a larger and more widely scattered development of commercial nursery propagation of the pecan than of any other nut-tree.

The relatively wide climatic range of the species and the extent of variation in form, size, and quality of nut have stimulated effort to develop methods of nursery propagation in widely separated localities. This has resulted in a larger and more widely scattered development of commercial nursery propagation of the pecan than of any other nut-tree.

The species is native in river-bottoms and lowlands of the Mississippi River and its tributaries as far north as Davenport, Iowa; Covington, Kentucky; Terre Haute, Indiana; and the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri. It is also found throughout most of the river-valleys of Texas and the adjacent parts of Mexico. It does not appear to have been found native at any point in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. It thus occurred wild in considerable regions of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, and small areas in southeastern Nebraska and southeastern Iowa. The species was scatteringly introduced throughout the southeastern states from Florida northward to Virginia at an early date, so that trees of considerable age are found at many points in them. The earliest efforts at commercial planting appear to have been made in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, but some of the greatest activity in this direction in recent years has been outside of the native habitat, in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, and considerable plantings have been made also in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and some on the Pacific Coast in California and Oregon.

The species is native in river-bottoms and lowlands of the Mississippi River and its tributaries as far north as Davenport, Iowa; Covington, Kentucky; Terre Haute, Indiana; and the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri. It is also found throughout most of the river-valleys of Texas and the adjacent parts of Mexico. It does not appear to have been found native at any point in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. It thus occurred wild in considerable regions of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, and small areas in southeastern Nebraska and southeastern Iowa. The species was scatteringly introduced throughout the southeastern states from Florida northward to Virginia at an early date, so that trees of considerable age are found at many points in them. The earliest efforts at commercial planting appear to have been made in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, but some of the greatest activity in this direction in recent years has been outside of the native habitat, in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, and considerable plantings have been made also in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and some on the Pacific Coast in California and Oregon.

Climatic and soil requirements.

Climatic and soil requirements.

The earliest successful grafting was by Antoine, a slave gardener, on Oak Alley Plantation, St. James Parish, Louisiana, who, under the instruction of his owner, the late Telesphore J. Roman, in 1846 or 1847 succeeded in trunk-grafting sixteen trees of the variety later named the Centennial (Fig. 2823). Somewhat later he propagated 110 more trees of the same variety, so that 126 grafted trees of this variety were growing on that plantation at the end of the Civil War. About 1877, the late Emil Bourgeois, of Central, Louisiana, successfully top-grafted the variety now known as the Van Deman upon his Rapidan Plantation in the same parish, while in 1882 the Rome and Frotscher, as well as Centennial, were propagated by Wm. Nelson in the nursery of the late Richard Frotscher at New Orleans from the original trees in St. James and Iberia parishes. In 1886, the variety now known as Stuart was successfully budded by the- late A. G. Delmas on his place at Pascagoula, Mississippi, from the original tree of that sort on the Castanera place near by.

The earliest successful grafting was by Antoine, a slave gardener, on Oak Alley Plantation, St. James Parish, Louisiana, who, under the instruction of his owner, the late Telesphore J. Roman, in 1846 or 1847 succeeded in trunk-grafting sixteen trees of the variety later named the Centennial (Fig. 2823). Somewhat later he propagated 110 more trees of the same variety, so that 126 grafted trees of this variety were growing on that plantation at the end of the Civil War. About 1877, the late Emil Bourgeois, of Central, Louisiana, successfully top-grafted the variety now known as the Van Deman upon his Rapidan Plantation in the same parish, while in 1882 the Rome and Frotscher, as well as Centennial, were propagated by Wm. Nelson in the nursery of the late Richard Frotscher at New Orleans from the original trees in St. James and Iberia parishes. In 1886, the variety now known as Stuart was successfully budded by the- late A. G. Delmas on his place at Pascagoula, Mississippi, from the original tree of that sort on the Castanera place near by.

Successful top-working of wild trees was accomplished by E. E. Risien, of San Saba, Texas, about 1889. He transformed a number of such trees by cutting back heavily in late winter with a cross-cut saw, practically beheading trees of diameters up to 12 to 15 inches at points 20 to 30 feet from the ground. An abundant growth of strong shoots was secured by hacking the bark of the trunk for some distance down from the stubs. A sufficient number of the best of these shoots were budded in July by the annular method quickly to develop a symmetrical top. The San Saba variety was chiefly used, the original tree of this standing on Risien's place (Fig. 2824).

Successful top-working of wild trees was accomplished by E. E. Risien, of San Saba, Texas, about 1889. He transformed a number of such trees by cutting back heavily in late winter with a cross-cut saw, practically beheading trees of diameters up to 12 to 15 inches at points 20 to 30 feet from the ground. An abundant growth of strong shoots was secured by hacking the bark of the trunk for some distance down from the stubs. A sufficient number of the best of these shoots were budded in July by the annular method quickly to develop a symmetrical top. The San Saba variety was chiefly used, the original tree of this standing on Risien's place.

Although most early efforts failed,as propagators have acquired experience in pecan-prapogation most of the methods of budding and grafting practised on the apple and pear have been found to succeed, so that at the present time practically all except shield-budding are more or less practised. The methods most commonly used by nurserymen are ordinary cleft- and whip-grafting, and annular-, patch-, and chip-budding.

Although most early efforts failed,as propagators have acquired experience in pecan-prapogation most of the methods of budding and grafting practised on the apple and pear have been found to succeed, so that at the present time practically all except shield-budding are more or less practised. The methods most commonly used by nurserymen are ordinary cleft- and whip-grafting, and annular-, patch-, and chip-budding.

Soil for the nursery should be  rich, deep, friable, and well drained, as the control of growth during the propagating season necessitates maintenance of a high state of cultivation with which clods, stones, or continued wetness seriously interfere. Nursery rows should be 5 to 6 feet apart, with nuts planted 8 to 12 inches apart in the row, 2 to 3 inches deep.

Soil for the nursery should be  rich, deep, friable, and well drained, as the control of growth during the propagating season necessitates maintenance of a high state of cultivation with which clods, stones, or continued wetness seriously interfere. Nursery rows should be 5 to 6 feet apart, with nuts planted 8 to 12 inches apart in the row, 2 to 3 inches deep.

When stocks exceed 3/4 inch in diameter at the point of grafting, cleft-grafting is preferred. If done above ground, the grafted stub should be securely bound with raffia or waxed cord to avoid splitting, and then thoroughly waxed and wrapped with waxed cloth to exclude air and moisture. (Fig. 2825.) Cions should be entirely dormant and have all exposed cut ends waxed to reduce evaporation. All grafting in place is best done shortly in advance of the pushing of buds on the stock. When stocks are under 3/4 inch in diameter at the crown, ordinary whip-grafting in place is considerably practised, selecting cions as near the size of the stock as practicable and tying securely with raffia or waxed cloth. (Figs. 2826 and 2827.) Bench-graft ing, though possible, is rarely practised with the pecan.

When stocks exceed 3/4 inch in diameter at the point of grafting, cleft-grafting is preferred. If done above ground, the grafted stub should be securely bound with raffia or waxed cord to avoid splitting, and then thoroughly waxed and wrapped with waxed cloth to exclude air and moisture. Cions should be entirely dormant and have all exposed cut ends waxed to reduce evaporation. All grafting in place is best done shortly in advance of the pushing of buds on the stock. When stocks are under 3/4 inch in diameter at the crown, ordinary whip-grafting in place is considerably practised, selecting cions as near the size of the stock as practicable and tying securely with raffia or waxed cloth. (Figs. 2826 and 2827.) Bench-graft ing, though possible, is rarely practised with the pecan.

On account of the length of season during which these methods may be practised, annular- and patch- budding have been widely adopted by pecan-propagators, and special tools for cutting the "rings" and patches" have come into general use in the southern states (Figs. 2828 and 2829), though expert operators succeed well with the ordinary budding-knife. These methods may be used at any time during the growing season when the bark of both stock and cion "slip" well and the bark and buds of the new growth on the cion trees are sufficiently mature to endure the necessary manipulation. The essentials are good "slipping" condition of both stock and cion, close fitting of "rings" or "patches," secure tying with raffia or other suitable material, careful attention to removal of ties and gradual heading back of stock as growth proceeds to avoid "drowning out" the bud, and after growth begins the protection of it against splitting off or breaking down by wind and storms, by tying up to stubs or stakes. (Fig. 2830.)

On account of the length of season during which these methods may be practised, annular- and patch- budding have been widely adopted by pecan-propagators, and special tools for cutting the "rings" and patches" have come into general use in the southern states (Figs. 2828 and 2829), though expert operators succeed well with the ordinary budding-knife. These methods may be used at any time during the growing season when the bark of both stock and cion "slip" well and the bark and buds of the new growth on the cion trees are sufficiently mature to endure the necessary manipulation. The essentials are good "slipping" condition of both stock and cion, close fitting of "rings" or "patches," secure tying with raffia or other suitable material, careful attention to removal of ties and gradual heading back of stock as growth proceeds to avoid "drowning out" the bud, and after growth begins the protection of it against splitting off or breaking down by wind and storms, by tying up to stubs or stakes. (Fig. 2830.)

One of the simplest and most effective methods is that long used by E. W. Kirkpatrick, of McKinney, Texas, commonly known as "chip-budding." This may be practised prior to and during the early growing season. Dormant cions are used. It consists essentially of the removal of a "chip" from the stock and its replacement by a bud-bearing chip of approximately identical size from the cion, which is securely tied in place without waxing. As this method requires only the ordinary budding-knife and is equally applicable to walnut, persimmon, and other species rather difficult to propagate, it is growing in favor, especially in Louisiana and Texas. (Fig. 2831.)

One of the simplest and most effective methods is that long used by E. W. Kirkpatrick, of McKinney, Texas, commonly known as "chip-budding." This may be practised prior to and during the early growing season. Dormant cions are used. It consists essentially of the removal of a "chip" from the stock and its replacement by a bud-bearing chip of approximately identical size from the cion, which is securely tied in place without waxing. As this method requires only the ordinary budding-knife and is equally applicable to walnut, persimmon, and other species rather difficult to propagate, it is growing in favor, especially in Louisiana and Texas.

With all methods of budding and grafting, both in nursery and orchard, careful attention to the tying up of the young buds during the first growing season is required. Their soft and luxuriant growth renders them peculiarly subject to destruction by storms, the only effective protection against which is secure tying to stock, stubs, or stakes.

With all methods of budding and grafting, both in nursery and orchard, careful attention to the tying up of the young buds during the first growing season is required. Their soft and luxuriant growth renders them peculiarly subject to destruction by storms, the only effective protection against which is secure tying to stock, stubs, or stakes.

Varieties for the section including central and western Tennessee, central and western Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern and southwestern Illinois, eastern and southern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas: Only varieties of northern or local origin should be considered for planting in this general area, as none of the southern sorts is sufficiently hardy to justify their recommendation. The best of these are the Major, Niblack, Indiana, Busseron, and Posey.

Varieties for the section including central and western Tennessee, central and western Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern and southwestern Illinois, eastern and southern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas: Only varieties of northern or local origin should be considered for planting in this general area, as none of the southern sorts is sufficiently hardy to justify their recommendation. The best of these are the Major, Niblack, Indiana, Busseron, and Posey.

Some of the best known sorts now in the trade, with locality of origin indicated, arc the following:

Some of the best known sorts now in the trade, with locality of origin indicated, are the following:

 

 

 

 

Delmas (Fig. 2834).—Pascagoula, Mississippi. A large, rather thick-shelled productive variety of very sturdy growth, but rather subject to scab. Kernel plump and of high quality.

 

Frotscher (syns. Eggshell, Frotscher's Eggshell, Olivier, Majestic) (Fig. 2833).—Olivier, Louisiana. One of the most widely disseminated and distinct of the older varieties. Very large and thin- shelled but with kernel rather dark and unattractive in appearance, frequently not filling well. Rapidly giving way to more reliable sorts.

 

Hollis (syns., Hollis's Jumbo, Jumbo, Risien, Georgia Belle, Post's Select, in part).—Bend, Texas. A medium to large, roundish nut, rather widely disseminated for several years as Post's Select. Mainly planted in central Texas.

*Delmas.—Pascagoula, Mississippi. A large, rather thick-shelled productive variety of very sturdy growth, but rather subject to scab. Kernel plump and of high quality.

 

*Frotscher (syns. Eggshell, Frotscher's Eggshell, Olivier, Majestic) (Fig. 2833).—Olivier, Louisiana. One of the most widely disseminated and distinct of the older varieties. Very large and thin- shelled but with kernel rather dark and unattractive in appearance, frequently not filling well. Rapidly giving way to more reliable sorts.

Indiana.—Knox County, Indiana. Of medium size, with thin shell and kernel of excellent quality. Promising for northern planting.

*Hollis (syns., Hollis's Jumbo, Jumbo, Risien, Georgia Belle, Post's Select, in part).—Bend, Texas. A medium to large, roundish nut, rather widely disseminated for several years as Post's Select. Mainly planted in central Texas.

 

*Indiana.—Knox County, Indiana. Of medium size, with thin shell and kernel of excellent quality. Promising for northern planting.

Jewett.—Pascagoula. Mississippi. Widely disseminated at one time, but generally discarded because of unproductiveness and unthriftiness of tree and unsatisfactory filling of the large long nut.

*Jewett.—Pascagoula. Mississippi. Widely disseminated at one time, but generally discarded because of unproductiveness and unthriftiness of tree and unsatisfactory filling of the large long nut.

 

*Kincaid.—San Saba, Texas. A large, oblong nut, with moderately thin shell and plump kernel of fine quality. Scabs badly in South Atlantic States.

Kincaid.—San Saba, Texas. A large, oblong nut, with moderately thin shell and plump kernel of fine quality. Scabs badly in South Atlantic States.

*Major.—Henderson County, Kentucky. Recently introduced, but considered promising in northern pecan territory. Of only medium size but thin-shelled, with plump kernel of fine quality.

 

*Mobile (syns., Laurendine, Batey's Perfection).—Bayou La Batre, Alabama. A very large and handsome nut, coming into bearing early but not filling well in most sections where tested, and therefore little planted in recent years.

Major.—Henderson County, Kentucky. Recently introduced, but considered promising in northern pecan territory. Of only medium size but thin-shelled, with plump kernel of fine quality.

*Moneymaker.—Mound, Louisiana. A medium-sized, rather thin-shelled nut of excellent cracking and fair dessert quality. A precocious, productive sort. One of the hardiest of the southern varieties.

 

*Niblack.—Knox County, Indiana. Recently introduced. Below medium in size, but its excellent cracking and fine dessert qualities make it promising for the North.

Mobile (syns., Laurendine, Batey's Perfection).—Bayou La Batre, Alabama. A very large and handsome nut, coming into bearing early but not filling well in most sections where tested, and therefore little planted in recent years.

*Pabst.—Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A large, rather thick-shelled sort with a very plump and attractive kernel of excellent quality.

 

*Post (syn.. Post's Select).—Milburn. Texas. Nuts and seedling trees were widely disseminated for several years under this name, at first from a tree on the Colorado river bottom near Milburn, Texas, later from other trees nearby, and still later from the Hollis tree in the same county. The nut of the original Post tree is of medium size and very attractive appearance and thousands of seedlings from it have been planted throughout the South, but neither the variety nor its seedlings are now propagated.

Moneymaker (Fig. 2S33).—Mound, Louisiana. A medium-sized, rather thin-shelled nut of excellent cracking and fair dessert quality. A precocious, productive sort. One of the hardiest of the southern varieties.

*Rome (syns., Columbia, Columbian, Century, Twentieth Century, Pride of the Coast, Southern Giant) (Fig. 2833).—Convent, Louisiana. One of the largest varieties and for several years the most widely exploited, but now practically discarded by planters. Shell thick and Kernel frequently defective.

 

*Russell.—Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A medium- sized conical nut with very thin shell. Quality excellent when well filled but often faulty. Tree slender and tender but very productive along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

Niblack.—Knox County, Indiana. Recently introduced. Below medium in size, but its excellent cracking and fine dessert qualities make it promising for the North.

*San Saba (syns., Papershell, Risien's Papershell, Royal) (Fig. 2834).—Though small, its thinness of shell, plumpness and sweetness of kernel make it a highly desirable nut where it succeeds. Tree vigorous, though slender grower; very productive; scaba badly in eastern districts.

 

*Schley (syn., Admiral Schley) (Fig. 2834).—Pascagoula. Mississippi. One of the most widely successful commercial sorts. Nut generally large, with thin shell and plump kernel of excellent quality. Tree pendulous in habit but vigorous and productive.

Pabst.—Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A large, rather thick-shelled sort with a very plump and attractive kernel of excellent quality.

*Sovereign (syn., Texas Prolific).—San Saba, Texas. Seedling of San Saba, larger than the parent, with somewhat thicker shell. Very productive in Texas but susceptible to scab in eastern districts.

 

*Stuart (syn., Castanera) (Fig. 2834).—Widely planted and generally productive. Nut large, filling well but rather difficult to crack and, therefore, less planted as a commercial nut than formerly.

Post (syn.. Post's Select).—Milburn. Texas. Nuts and seedling trees were widely disseminated for several years under this name, at first from a tree on the Colorado river bottom near Milburn, Texas, later from other trees nearby, and still later from the Hollis tree in the same county. The nut of the original Post tree is of medium size and very attractive appearance and thousands of seedlings from it have been planted throughout the South, but neither the variety nor its seedlings are now propagated.

*Success.—Ocean Springs. Mississippi. A large nut with a relatively thin shell and plump kernel.

 

*Teche (syns., Frotscher No. 2, Duplicate Frotscher, Fake Frotscher, Spurious Frotscher) (Fig. 2834).—Probably a seedling of Frotscher, mixed with that variety in nursery and disseminated as Frotscher. Rather small and not of high quality, but very productive throughout the southeastern states.

Rome (syns., Columbia, Columbian, Century, Twentieth Century, Pride of the Coast, Southern Giant) (Fig. 2833).—Convent, Louisiana. One of the largest varieties and for several years the most widely exploited, but now practically discarded by planters. Shell thick and Kernel frequently defective.

*Van Deman (syns., Mire, Duminie Mire. Paragon, Bourgeois) (Fig. 2834).—A large to very large nut, cracking well, with plump kernel of high quality. Widely planted in lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast sections. Subject to scab farther east.

 

*Hybrids.—Numerous hybrids of C. Pecan with C. laciniosa and ? aquatica are known and some have been named and propagated in a small way. Of these the McCallister (syn., Floyd), found near Mt. Vernon, Indiana, is a very large nut, probably the largest known hickory-nut. The original tree has for many years failed to mature more than a small proportion of plump kernels and top- grafted trees of the variety have exhibited the same weakness, so that it cannot be regarded as of commercial value.{{SCH}}

Russell (Fig. 2833).—Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A medium- sized conical nut with very thin shell. Quality excellent when well filled but often faulty. Tree slender and tender but very productive along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

 

San Saba (syns., Papershell, Risien's Papershell, Royal) (Fig. 2834).—Though small, its thinness of shell, plumpness and sweetness of kernel make it a highly desirable nut where it succeeds. Tree vigorous, though slender grower; very productive; scaba badly in eastern districts.

 

Schley (syn., Admiral Schley) (Fig. 2834).—Pascagoula. Mississippi. One of the most widely successful commercial sorts. Nut generally large, with thin shell and plump kernel of excellent quality. Tree pendulous in habit but vigorous and productive.

 

Sovereign (syn., Texas Prolific).—San Saba, Texas. Seedling of San Saba, larger than the parent, with somewhat thicker shell. Very productive in Texas but susceptible to scab in eastern districts.

 

Stuart (syn., Castanera) (Fig. 2834).—Widely planted and generally productive. Nut large, filling well but rather difficult to crack and, therefore, less planted as a commercial nut than formerly.

 

Success (Fig. 2833).—Ocean Springs. Mississippi. A large nut with a relatively thin shell and plump kernel.

 

Teche (syns., Frotscher No. 2, Duplicate Frotscher, Fake Frotscher, Spurious Frotscher) (Fig. 2834).—Probably a seedling of Frotscher, mixed with that variety in nursery and disseminated as Frotscher. Rather small and not of high quality, but very productive throughout the southeastern states.

 

Van Deman (syns., Mire, Duminie Mire. Paragon, Bourgeois) (Fig. 2834).—A large to very large nut, cracking well, with plump kernel of high quality. Widely planted in lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast sections. Subject to scab farther east.

 

Hybrids.—Numerous hybrids of C. Pecan with C. laciniosa and '' aquatica are known and some have been named and propagated in a small way. Of these the McCallister (syn., Floyd), found near Mt. Vernon, Indiana, is a very large nut, probably the largest known hickory-nut. The original tree has for many years failed to mature more than a small proportion of plump kernels and top- grafted trees of the variety have exhibited the same weakness, so that it cannot be regarded as of commercial value.

 

 

 

 

 

{{Taxobox

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The '''Pecan''' (''Carya illinoinensis'') is a species of [[hickory]] native to southeastern [[North America]], from southern [[Iowa]] and [[Indiana]] south to [[Texas]] and [[Mississippi]]. It is a [[deciduous]] [[tree]], growing to 25–40 m in height, and can be grown approximately from [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[hardiness zone]]s 5 to 9, provided summers are also hot and humid. Pecan trees may live and bear nuts for more than three hundred years, and are one of the largest species of hickory<ref>http://www.harrellnut.com/pecanfactsandtips.html</ref>. The Pecan harvest for growers is traditionally around mid October and they grow wild in [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Mississippi]], [[Louisiana]], [[South Carolina]] and other southeastern states of the U.S. as well as northeast [[Mexico]].

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[[Image:pecan-nuts-on-tree.jpg|thumb|left|Ripe pecan nuts on tree]]

The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, 40–70 cm long, and pinnate with 9–13 (rarely up to 17) leaflets, each leaflet 5–12 cm long and 2–6 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are [[pollination|wind-pollinated]], and [[plant sexuality|monoecious]], with [[stamen|staminate]] and [[carpel|pistillate]] [[catkin]]s on the same tree. The Pecan trees are mostly self incompatible, because most [[cultivars]], being [[cloning|clones]] derived from wild trees, show incomplete [[dichogamy]]. Generally, two or more trees of different [[cultivar]]s must be present to [[pollenizer|pollenize]] each other. The [[fruit]] is an oval to oblong [[nut (fruit)|nut]], 2.6–6 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, dark brown with a rough husk 3–4 mm thick, which splits off at maturity to release the thin-shelled nut. <br clear = left>

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==Cultivation and uses==

===Pests and diseases===

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The nuts of the Pecan are edible, with a rich, buttery flavor. They can be eaten fresh or used in [[cooking]], particularly in sweet [[dessert|desserts]] but also in some savory dishes. One of the most common desserts with the pecan as a central ingredient is the [[pecan pie]], a traditional southern U.S. recipe. Pecans are also a major ingredient in [[praline]] candy, most often associated with [[New Orleans]].

In addition to the pecan nut, the [[wood]] of the pecan tree is also used in making [[furniture]], in [[hardwood]] [[floor]]ing, as well as flavoring fuel for [[smoking (food)|smoking]] [[meat]]s.

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Pecans were one of the most recently domesticated major crops.  Although wild pecans were well known among the colonial Americans as a delicacy, the commercial growing of pecans in the United States did not begin until the 1880s.<ref>http://pecankernel.tamu.edu/introduction/index.html</ref> Today, the U.S. produces between 80% and 95% of the world's pecans, with an annual crop of 150-200 million kg (300-400 million pounds)<ref>http://www.tpga.org/faqs.html</ref>. Historically, however, the leading Pecan-producing state in the U.S. has been [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], followed by Texas, [[New Mexico]] and [[Oklahoma]], they are also grown in [[Arizona]]. Outside the United States, pecans are grown in [[Australia]], [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[Israel]], [[Mexico]], [[Peru]] and [[South Africa]].

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{{Main|List of pecan diseases}}

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Image:pecan-nuts-on-tree.jpg|Ripe pecan nuts on tree

===Nutrition===

==References==

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

 

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->

<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->

 

===Trivia===

*In 1906 Texas Governor [[James Stephen Hogg]] made the Pecan tree the [[List of U.S. state trees|state tree]] of [[Texas]]. The story goes that Hogg had a Pecan Tree planted at his grave instead of a traditional headstone, requesting that the nuts be distributed throughout the state to make Texas a "Land of Trees"<ref>http://www.tpga.org/faqs.html</ref>.

 

*The scientific name is commonly misspelled "''illinoensis''".

 

*The pronunciation of pecan is a source of friendly dispute among aficionados.  Some people say {{IPA|[ˈpiː.kæn]}} while others say {{IPA|[pə.ˈkɑn]}}. (See [[International Phonetic Alphabet]].) The word pecan itself is noted as having an origin from the Native American [[Algonquin|Algonquin tribe]], meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack<ref>http://www.greenvalleypecan.com/history.asp</ref>.

 

*In and around the greater New Orleans area and the outlying parishes, the phrase "gone pecan" (pronounced in the local dialect as "gawn pe-cawn") is used to refer to a person who behaves in a crazy or illogical way. It is typically used in a positive or friendly fashion among companions.  At one time, the phrase was used in a derogatory fashion to label the mentally ill or irresponsible.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=210000185 Flora of North America: ''Carya illinoinensis'']

*{{wplink}}

[[Category:Crops originating from the Americas]]

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[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]