The Pecan: A Gift from the Earth

Recently, I mentioned to a friend that I was preparing to write an article about pecans. My friend told me, “You surely are the only person I know who can turn the lowly pecan into an interesting story.” It is my hope that after reading this story, everyone will appreciate the gifts provided to many by the pecan tree.

The pecan tree, Carya illinoensis, is a tree native to North America. It is in the same family (Juglandaceae) as hickory and walnut trees. Pecan trees can reach up to 70 feet in height, and most of them are found in the rich river bottomlands of the southeastern United States. Commercial pecan production is rapidly growing in the Midwest and Southwest United States with the aid of regular irrigation. Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa also grow pecans commercially as well.

The Plains Cree called nuts from Carya trees pakan’ahtik. Carya that grow near water are called penossv according to my Creek Muskogee ancestors. Algonquian languages such as Abenaki use “pagon,” and the Miami “pakani” according to “Florida Ethnobotany” by Daniel Austin. “The Spanish used the name “pacana” to describe the nut. And, the French settled on several spellings: pecan; pecaunes; paccan; and pekan.

The mature pecan tree can reach 70 feet in height. Its canopy provides summertime shade. Nuts harvested in autumn provide nourishment for many. In the winter, dying leaves begin their transformation into rich bottomland soil, returning nutrients to the tree roots. In the spring, new life emerges and the cycle continues.

My ancestors understood that we, too, are connected to the pecan life cycle. We live on the same land as the pecan tree. And, if we want to enjoy the good gifts pecan trees offer us, we must take care of the land we share. If we take care of the pecan trees, the pecan trees will take care of us.

The Creeks of Georgia would store up “shellbark” nuts in their towns, according to William Bartram. He noted in 1773 that he witnessed one hundred bushels of nuts stored by one family for use year-round.

Bartram also wrote, “The Creeks of Georgia would pound nuts into pieces, and then cast them into boiling water, which, after passing through fine strainers, preserves the most-oily part of the liquid; this they call by a name which signifies Hiccory milk; it is sweet and rich as fresh cream, and is an ingredient in most of their cookery, especially homony and corn cakes.”

Bernard Romans wrote in 1775 that the Chickasaws and Choctaw “went gathering nuts and making their milk. They are very fond of this milk and eat it with sweet potatoes.” He also mentions they make many types of bread using nut milk. Finally, in Louisianna, the Chocktaw and Natchez valued Carya illinoiensis oil for seasoning their food.

The Evening Post, New York - 1804 ran an ad for “Forest Trees.” “W. & B. Prince have for sale at their Nursery at Flushing Island. Pecan Nut Trees from Florida. They are 8 ft in height and 4 to 6 inches in circumference forming a straight handsome ornamental.”

Pecans were traded alongside deer skins in the southeast and sold in Europe as early as 1805. In London, The Morning Post advertises frequently that pecans can be purchased in at Pressey’s Foreign Warehouse.

“Pecan Nuts” FOR SALE, at Bernard Mc’Mahon’s by the bushel, barrel or pound, a quantity of the delicious nuts known in Louisiana by the above name.” The advertiser went on to say that most people consider them superior to English or European walnuts. They are thinned shelled, perfectly sweet and in prime condition. This was reported in the Aurora General Advertiser on March 3, 1809.

Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Louisiana were noted as the “middle and “southern” states where you could find pecan trees in bottom and forests. This was written by Col. Pike in his survey of Louisiana and other interior regions. He was accompanied by Pawnee chiefs and warriors as reported by the Democratic Clarion and Tennessee Gazette on August 27, 1811.

After the Civil War, landowners began to recognize pecans could be turned into potential profit. And, by the end of 1800s, pecan orchards were being planted throughout the Southeast.

By 1925, thousands of acres of pecan trees had been planted in the state of Georgia. Georgia was ranked as the top state in the nation for pecan production by 1950. Today, according to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Georgia continues to out-produce all other states in pecan production.

The establishment of a pecan orchard is a long-term investment. It takes at least 50 acres or more for an orchard be profitable. Pecan trees take about 8 to 10 years to produce a full crop. If managed well, each pecan tree will produce a viable crop for over 100 years. There are over 170,000 acres of pecan orchards in the state of Georgia. In Florida, there are about 8,500 acres of commercial pecan trees. Most are found in northern region of the state as they prefer long hot summers followed by moderately cool winters.

Just last month, the University of Georgia released a statement saying Hurricane Helene was “absolutely devasting” for the pecan industry and many Georgia communities. The 40- to 50-year-old trees were especially hard hit. Growers are reporting about a 70% loss of mature trees and a 40% loss of younger trees. Trees ended up broken; green nuts were blown out of the trees. Extension horticulture specialist for pecans at the University of Georgia, Lenny Wells, estimates that between 41,509 and 62,115 acres were affected by Hurricane Helene, which represents approximately 20% of the Georgia crop.

Despite losses incurred by Hurricane Helene, pecans remain readily available this season. The pecan industry keeps a large supply of pecans in cold storage for up to a year. What happens after next year with the pecan market is anyone’s guess. It will take years to rebuild the losses sustained by Hurricane Helene.

The Pecan Growers Association wants everyone to know that pecans are low in carbs and high in fiber. They are a healthy substitute for processed snacks when enjoyed in moderation. The Cooperative Extension at the University of Georgia suggests pecans be stored in air-tight containers. And, keep pecans away from direct sunlight as it causes the meat to turn dark. Shelf life for pecans is as follows: 45 days at room temperature, 10 months refrigerated, and two years in the freezer.

I am huge fan of pecans. I love them in many ways. Pecan pie, roasted pecans, pecans in banana bread, and my childhood favorite, Stuckey’s pecan log roll. I did a quick Google search and found you can purchase the original Stuckey’s pecan log roll online -- yippie! I will be ordering a few for stocking stuffers this year.

Finally, as stated above, there are many names for the highly regarded and nutritious pecan. However, in this part of the country, I mainly hear people pronounce pecan in two distinct ways. Some local people pronounce the word as “pee-can.” And other local people pronounce the word as “puh-khan.” As for me, I grew up believing that a “puh-khan” is a nut you find on the ground. And, a “pee-can” is something you find in a hospital bed. Just saying …