The edible nut of the pecan tree is high in protein and omega-6 fatty acids.
The pecan, a species of hickory, is a tree native to the Southeast United States and northeastern Mexico. It produces a nutritious edible nut from which the tree gets its name, which means "requiring a stone to crack" in the Algonquin language. Scientists have developed dozens of varieties of pecan trees to fit a variety of growing conditions, resist disease and produce the largest nut yield possible.
Moreland
The Moreland variety of pecan tree is named after Dr. W.E. Moreland, who discovered the tree in 1945. Today, it is a common variety for commercial purposes, especially in Florida and Louisiana, where it was first found. It produces a medium-sized nut with a thick shell, with harvests usually occurring in late October. It reaches its peak yield at around 13 years of age and produces good crops for about five years, after which yields begin to diminish.
Sumner
Walter Sumner discovered the first known example of this pecan variety in Tipton, Georgia, in 1932. The sumner pecan produces a large nut, requiring about 50 nuts to make a pound. The sumner takes longer to come into full production that other pecan types. Its peak years are between 15 and 20 years. During its peak years, it produces such a large crop of nuts that it usually requires thinning to prevent broken branches.
Elliot
Henry Elliot found this variety of pecan tree growing as a seedling in the lawn of his Florida home in 1912. This is a hearty pecan variety that is resistant to scab, a common disease affecting pecan trees. Yearly yields during its peak seasons can reach 250 pounds of nuts. The nuts are small, but they are extremely high quality and usually demand a premium price. The tree is susceptible to late freezes and does best in warmer areas.
Cape Fear
The Cape Fear variety comes from an open pollination of a schley seedling. The cape fear begins to produce good nut crops at a young age, peaking at around 15 years. In later life, the tree only produces nuts every two years. Commercial growers usually do not use this variety because of its unpredictable crop yield, but it does well in a home orchard and is resistant to disease.
Tags: pecan tree, around years, Cape Fear, good crops, peak years
