Pecan Tree - More Than Just Nuts

Although it grows best under the climatic conditions of the northern mainland, the Pecan tree has become the adopted as the official, tree of the state of Texas.  The reason?  Well, the obvious one would have to be the delicious, edible nuts that the Pecan tree does provide.  But it became the official tree of the proud state because of its equally proud features.

Everything comes big in Texas, so the saying goes, and its official tree should be no exception.  The Pecan tree can grow as high as 180 feet tall.  That's almost as tall as an 8 story building!  The Pecan isn't only a humongous tree, it is a durable one as well.  Some of the members of this tree type have been recorded to have a lifespan of more than 150 years.  I say "more than" because these trees are still alive to this very day, and they show no signs of slowing down.

The state of Texas has truly fallen in love with the Pecan tree that it has become the country's largest producer and distributor of Pecan nuts.  Pecan nuts are desirable because of their sweet taste, and because they are one of the largest kinds of edible nuts in the world.  A Pecan nut, dark brown in color, has an average size of 1.7 inches.  Additionally, Texas, being a border state that is between the United States and Mexico, has developed a love affair with Mexican cuisine, and a good number of Mexican recipes require Pecan nuts as one of their main ingredients.

Pecan nuts are deeply engraved in America's history as well.  The native Americans used to harvest these nuts to enjoy their sweet taste, and store some of them to sustain their families throughout the winter months, when food was hard to come by.

A Pecan tree is also a very good source of furniture-grade wood.  With their sturdy trunk and fine texture, Pecans are often grown in wide areas, until such time that they are ready to be chopped down to serve some commercial needs.

Pecan trees have thick foliage, composed of 7 to 11 bundles of pointy-shaped leaves.  They are quite deciduous, so if you're planning to plant one in your backyard, be prepared for regular cleanups as the leaves can easily pile up on your lawn.  Pecans are tolerant with soil quality, so you won't encounter any problems here.  Pecans, however, do require adequate amount of sunlight.