Thankful Thursday
I am so thankful for this amazing tree that is located down at the farm, and for the many hundred others that look just like this.
These trees are at least a 100 years old.
By looking at the trunk of the tree, you might say "there is no way that this tree is that old."
Here ↓↓↓↓ is the reason why!
100 year-old pecan trees managed strictly for graft wood (scion wood) have small trunks primarily because they are subjected to continuous, severe, and intentional pruning, which prevents them from developing a large, mature canopy and trunk structure.
You can see in this close up photo the many twist and turns on the branches of the tree... These are caused due to the yearly cutting of new growth for graft wood. ...... throughout the past 90 or so years.
These stock trees are only grown for graft wood..... NO Pecans come from these trees.
A simple pecan is planted one year, the next year the tree that shoots up from the pecan seed is grafted with the wood that comes from these specific trees .... the third year, the tree is ready to be sold.
This is what Pecan trees that have NOT been cut back for graft wood look like.
These trees produce actual Pecans...
I'm thankful for these old trees because they provide for our family...
Thousands of pecans are grafted each year and thousands of pecans trees are sold each year.
Shug.... 🌿
Joining Michelle
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What a cool tree! I've never seen a pecan tree before.
ReplyDeleteI just assumed that everyone has seen a pecan tree, but I can see how those who live up north haven't. Our state and many of the Southern states have many orchards. The growing of a pecan tree is a 3 year process and very interesting at that.
DeleteIf you hadn't told us this was a pecan tree, I'd never have guessed, Shug. My folks had lots of pecan trees where they lived for a time, but they were allowed to simply grow like any other tree. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes...the designated trees that are used for graft wood do not look like pecan trees. These trees are all across the farm and are marked for whatever type of tree they are such as pawnee, desirable, stuart and others. So many people have their preference on what kind of nuts they like. It's all a very interesting process.
DeleteHow wonderful to see so many pecan trees at the farm, Shug. They really are quite pretty standing straight and tall, and they look like sturdy trees too. And the best thing is they produce pecans, which are one of my favorite nuts. I put them in my oatmeal sometimes, and it gives it a special something. And pecan pie is actually one of my favs. I would have never guessed the trees were 100 years old. Thanks for the interesting info. on the pecan tree. I can see why you're thankful for them. I am loving the pictures of the trees you shared also.
ReplyDeleteI love pecans and they are so healthy for us....I even cook with pecan oil. Some of my kids do not like them which means when I make banana nut bread, I have to make two different batches. lol
DeleteThank you! ❤️
ReplyDeleteWould you believe that some of our grands will not eat anything with pecans in it. We are always telling them..."you need to learn to like pecans..they are healthy and pecan trees are how we make our living." they just laugh.
DeleteWhat an interesting read! I don't think I have ever seen a pecan tree before.
ReplyDeleteReally? They are so pretty and it is so fun to see how the clusters of pecans grow and then fall from the husk. Hope you get to see some.
DeleteWhat an enormous difference! The ones that are pruned look like fairy tale trees from a dark forest. And the greens in your last photo are stunningly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey do don't they Ginny. I love seeing a full grown pecan tree that produces lots of pecans. We do have some of these on the farm and they are beautiful.
DeleteBehind the Ponderosa Pine, Pecan trees are my favorite. Nevertheless, I didn't know about stock trees until today. Every day is a school day! (*grin*)
ReplyDeleteDear Shug, thank you 😊 so much for sharing this. Lovely photos and wonderful information.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you for the lesson today. I knew nothing about Stock Trees and that process. I do love pecans yummm... is it P-cans ... or P-cons???
ReplyDeleteSue
hey Sue. many people do not realize that the original tree that comes up from the pecan itself has to be grafted into whatever variety of tree people are shopping for. and then there is the big debate... Pah-con or Pee-can. in Texas it is Pah-con. some of the Sothern states to the east of us it's pee-can .. lol
DeleteOh wow, what an interesting story of the pecan tree! I had no idea! And when you said you had a tree farm, I didn't know it was pecans! Do you grow other types of trees as well? I LOVE pecans and prefer them over walnuts. I love to pass by a pecan orchard (or is it called a grove?) when the trees are green and lush. They are so pretty! We don't have them right here where we live as I think we are a bit too far south, but drive north a little ways and you see a lot of them through southern Georgia and South Carolina. Thank you for sharing this story with us! I never knew about the stock trees!
ReplyDeleteglad you stopped by today Pamela. yes. the nursery grows all kinds of fruit trees as well as shade trees.. however, pecan trees are the top tree that is grown. There are huge pecan trees that have pecans each year, but the nursery only sells trees. no pecans are actually sold because the source of our income comes from selling to wholesale nurseries as well as orchards.
DeleteWe had pecan trees at our last house. I sure didn't know about the history of the pecan tree or that they take a couple of years to produce or that they have to be grafted together!.
ReplyDelete