Pecan trees are large trees which can be grown in big gardens or parks. The word Pecan means a nut which can be cracked opened with a stone. It has been derived from an Algonquian word.

The best time to plant these trees are February, March and Early April. This tree produces nuts and has a huge trunk. It grows 66-130 feet in height and spreads about 39 -75 feet. The size of the trunk alone is about 6.6 feet in diameter. While planting this tree you will have to consider the location because if you plant it near walls or in corners it can spread and damage your property while growing.

Pecans should be grown on well drained soil with a shallow basin so that during rain the water does not collect around the tree. Dig a hole that is big enough for the roots and place the tree in moist soil until about ¾ part is inside the ground. You will have to consider wrapping the trunk with paper or aluminum foil for the initial years to avoid weed competition and drought.

Pecan trees produce green colored male and female flowers also referred to as catkins. The male catkins are about 18 cm in length whereas the female catkins are smaller. They have dark brown nuts about 2.5 to 6 cm and are oval in shape. The nuts contain seeds inside them. These nuts are edible and can be eaten fresh or used in preparing many desserts. If you order a young Pecan tree from a nursery and find that the leaves are dry, you will have to soak the roots in water for about 3-4 hours in order to prevent them from dying.

Pecans live for about three hundred years and produce nuts. If you provide proper nourishment and growth conditions then the tree will thrive and stand proudly in your backyard for many years to come. Pecan trees can get infected with diseases and the most common disease that affects them is Pecan Scab which appears as black spots on the leaves. The disease can cause malfunction and hamper the production of edible nuts. It can be controlled by spraying fungicides. You would also need to fertilize the tree every now and then so that it receives all the essential nutrients and grows properly.

Pecan pie is one of the traditional and common preparations made of Pecan nuts. Growing pecan trees can motivate you to prepare mouth watering and delicious desserts quite often. So, you can purchase one from a nursery and plant them in your backyard.