The Warmth and Nutrition of Pecans

The silhouette of a pecan tree loaded with nuts juxtaposed against an azure Texas sky fills my heart with warmth and joy! Growing up in the southern United States, pecans were a major part of my childhood.


The huge pecan trees in my grandmother's yard in Florida served as canopies for my youthful outdoor activities. Pralines studded with pecans were a treat that my parents would buy as we drove through Georgia on our way to visit our Florida relatives. Pecan pies were always served for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.

Now that I live in Texas, I notice many wild pecan trees growing near rivers. Yesterday, a friend gave me a bag full of pecans. Childhood memories rushed through my mind as I looked at the bounty in the bag. This must have been an abundant year for his pecan trees. Abundant years alternate with years in which pecan yields are much lower. According to the University of Florida, a possible cause of this cycle is that one year the tree uses much of its carbohydrate reserve to produce nuts. The tree rebuilds its carbohydrate reserves the following year.


Pecan trees have both male and female flowers on each tree. However, the flowers from each gender often produce mature gametes at different times, therefore they do not self-pollinate. For this reason, to produce nuts, more than one tree is needed and wind carries the pollen from tree to tree.


Nutritional Aspects of Pecans
1. Studies have shown that pecans can have a cholesterol-lowering effect.
2. Pecans contain high concentrations of a kind of vitamin E which is associated with prostate and intestinal health.
3. Pecans can improve dietary levels of fiber, thiamin, magnesium, copper and manganese.
4. Natural plant sterols (fats) found in pecans, lower the body's ability to absorb cholesterol and therefore lower blood cholesterol levels.


The Texas Pecan Grower's Association and the National Pecan Shellers have more nutritional information about pecans.