The pecan tree ( Carya illinoinensis ) is a mintage of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico in the part of the Mississippi River . The tree diagram is cultivated for its ejaculate primarily in the U.S. states of Georgia , New Mexico , and Texas , and in Mexico . The Christian Bible “ pecan ” is derived from an Algonquin word think of “ nut expect a Harlan Fisk Stone to break up . ”

When Spanish explorers , including Hernando de Soto , ventured into what is now the southeast United States in the sixteenth one C , they encountered pecan . However , it was n’t until the 17th century that the pecan was described by European explorers , with the first put down mention by a French missioner , Jacques Marquette , in 1673 .

Pecans were a staple in the diets of many Native American tribes , let in the Caddo , Choctaw , and Cherokee . They used pecan not just for food but also for oil , which was extracted by boiling the nut . The shell were used for fuel and as a peter for grind other foods . The early twentieth century brought scientific interest in pecan polish . The USDA start inquiry into pecan breeding and disease resistivity , leading to the development of many modern pecan cultivars .

Today , the tree is cultivated for its seed in the main in the U.S. states of   Georgia , New Mexico , and   Texas , and in   Mexico . The seed is an edible nut used as a snack and in various recipes , such as   praline   confect and   pecan pie . The Carya illinoensis is the DoS nut of   Alabama ,   Arkansas ,   California , Texas and   Louisiana , and is also the country tree of Texas . They can be grown from   USDA   hardiness zone   roughly 5 to 9 , and develop salutary where summers are foresighted , spicy and humid . The egg harvest for agriculturalist is typically around mid - October .

Pecans are prone to infection by bacteria and fungi such as   pecan scab , particularly in humid status . Scab is the most destructive disease affect pecan trees , untreated with antifungal agent . Recommendations for preventive atomizer materials and schedules are available from state - stage resource . Various insects feed on the leaves , stems , and developing freak . These include   ambrosia mallet , twig girdlers ,   pecan nut casebearer , hickory shuckworm ,   phylloxera ,   curculio , weevils , and several aphid species .

Pecan trees are live for comparatively libertine growth in their youth , especially when provided with optimal conditions . Young tree diagram can grow 2 to 3 feet ( 60 to 90 cm ) per yr or even more in ideal place . As the tree diagram matures , the increment charge per unit slow up down . However , with expert care , Pecan trees can still add 1 to 2 feet ( 30 to 60 cm ) in elevation annually for many years .

Under idealistic conditions , they can live for 200 to 300 age or even longer . Some specimens are believed to have lived over 300 old age . The trees start producing nut around 6 to 10 years after planting , though important commercial yields might not occur until they are 15 to 20 year honest-to-goodness . They can remain productive for 100 years or more , with peak production often occurring between 30 to 75 years of eld .

biological science and Characteristics

Cultivation

Uses of Pecan Trees

Challenges to Growth and Lifespan