Pecan Newsletter

FALL 2001

VICTORIA COUNTY PECAN SHOW -- ENTRIES DUE OCTOBER 22^ND!!

The Victoria County Pecan Show will be held again this year during the South Texas Farm & Ranch Show. Deadline for show entries is October 22^nd. Entries are due at the Extension office. Please see enclosed rules flyer for set-up and Show schedule.

SUCCESSFUL PECAN FIELD DAY

The 4-County Pecan Field Day held September 14, 2001 at the orchard of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson near Inez was truly a big success! About 100 attended the event featuring the many aspects of pecan production. Talks, demonstrations and a tour of the orchard highlighted the day. Special thanks to the Nelsons and their family for allowing this educational event on their place. Also thanks to the many who helped throughout the day especially to the organization of Howard and Beverly Spies. Those were some super good hamburgers too!

Dr. Larry Stein, Extension Horticulturist from Uvalde who spoke at the Field Day, told me twice that it was a really good educational and enjoyable day. Thanks again to everyone who helped. Here are some pictures at that day.

THE NATIVE PECAN

The pecan is native to Texas - it is the official state tree, can be grown in every area of the state and it is a part of Texas tradition. All too frequently, the pecan is planted in anticipation of a large beautiful tree with heavy bearing. Unfortunately, there are times when this dream does not becomes a reality. A pecan tree can live with little or no care in much of Texas; however, if it is expected to look good as a landscape tree or if it is expected to produce high quality pecans every year, the pecan is a very high management crop. When pecan problems occur the cause is frequently not easy to identify. However, once the problem or group of problems is identified, the grower can go about correcting the problem. If the problem cannot be solved, the grower at least knows what to expect and has the option of abandoning or destroying the trees.

Many things can reduce vigor and performance and even kill a mature bearing pecan tree. Usually it is a combination of factors. Planting improved grafted varieties on poor soil is the most common reason pecan trees die in Texas. When no irrigation, no zinc, no nitrogen, no weed control, no insect management, no disease prevention are combined with a heavy crop on pecan trees growing on poor soil, death can be expected. Major problems are typically due to: Poor Soil Depth and Texture, Poor Soil Drainage, Over Cropping, Freeze Damage, Tree Crowding, Cotton Root Rot, and Improper Management.

Signs Of Trouble --

Many times growers have trees which are in trouble but they cannot see it because they see the trees daily and don't see minor changes happening. Consequently, it is good to have other growers, county Extension agents, or pecan specialists look at the trees to see if problems exist. Foliage, crop and tree decline can be slow and hard to recognize if you are in the orchard every day. Problems are slow to become obvious because pecans store food reserves in limbs, trunk and roots. The tree can look healthy to the untrained eye until all of the stored food is utilized, then problems become very easy to see. During heavy crop years, growers have a good chance to see how healthy their trees are. Signs of trouble can be many. The good news is that these problems can frequently be corrected with good management if the trees are on good soil.

A Guide for Evaluating Pecan Problems

Poorly Filled, Wafer Kernels -- Soil, Irrigation, Heavy Crop, Management

Kernels with Air Centers and Fuzz -Drought Without Irrigation or Other Stress

Green or Black Sticktight Pecans in November -- No Late Season Irrigation or Other Stress

Pecans Sprouting (Vivipary) While on The Tree -- No Late Season Irrigation or Other Stress

Rapid Tree Death in August or Early September -- Cotton Root Rot

Blue, Green and Grey Moss (Lichens) on Limbs or Trunks -- Shallow Soil, No Management

Little Leaves, Short Shoots -- Zinc, Soil, Irrigation, Nitrogen, Weeds

Little Yellow Leaves on Young Trees -- No New Root Growth, Too Much or Too Little Water

Young Tree New Growth Dies Repeatedly -- Root Desiccation or Freeze Damage at Nursery

Small Leaves Which Curve -- Zinc Deficiency

Leaf Edges Wavy -- Zinc Deficiency

Leaves With Dark Interveinal Discoloration -- Zinc Deficiency

Shoots Growing Thick in Bunches, Some Dead, Some Alive -- Zinc Deficiency

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms with Frequent Sprays and Other Good Conditions. -- Nematodes

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms with Frequent Sprays and Other Good Conditions -- Sheep Manure

Very Rapid Twisting and Turning Shoots on Young Trees -- Barnyard Manure Effect

Very Twisted and Distorted New Shoots on Old Trees -- 2,4-D Herbicide Damage

Spring Buds and Leaves Wild and Irregular Shaped -- Last Year Roundup Herbicide Damage

Shoots Growing Thick in Bunches, on Trunk, All Alive -- Bunch Disease

Nuts Shedding in May with No Hole -- Natural or Pollination Drop

Nuts Shedding With Small Hole at Base of Nut -- Pecan Nut Casebearer

Nuts Shedding in August During Water stage -- Any Stress or Insect Feeding

Nuts Shedding in August with Black Shucks and Half Filled Kernel -- Shuck Dieback

Bark Peeling Off -- No Problem, Rapid Growth

Vertical Splits in the Bark with Yellow Moist Wood Exposed -- No Problem, Rapid Growth

Vertical Splits in the Bark and Wood Which Is Dried Out and Grey -- Freeze

Perfect Ring or Rings of Small Holes Around the Trunk -- No Problem, Sapsucker Woodpecker

Large Patches of Young Green Bark Missing on New Growth -- Squirrel Feeding

Pecans on the Ground With Holes Punched in The Shuck or Shell -- Blue Jay or Crow Feeding

Dead Limbs or Trees, April to June with Sprouts at Ground Line -- Freeze

Dead Trunk on South or Southwest Side with Ground Suckers in Spring -- Freeze

Limbs Die Suddenly Followed By Regrowth Which Also Dies -- Freeze

Black Spots on Leaves or Leaf Midrib, Black Lesions on Shucks -- Pecan Scab Disease

Brown Dead Tissue Around the Edge of the Leaflet -- Chloride, Salt Burn

Sticky Sap or Honeydew Dripping From Shiney Leaves -- Yellow Aphid Feeding

Black and Yellow Areas on Leaflets in August or September -- Black Pecan Aphid Feeding

Leaves Dull Color With Many Small Brown Spots and Defoliation -- Spider Mites

Black Spots on Kernel -- Stink Bug Damage

White Fuzz on Green Shucks -- Powdery Mildew

White Weblike Growth on Clusters -- Spittlebug

Galls on Nuts, Cluster, Leaves -- Pecan Phylloxera

Young Tree Dead, Small Holes in Trunk with Sawdust Tube Sticking Out -- Ambrosia Beetle

Small Fat White Grub with Red Head in Pecan -- Pecan Weevil

Small, 1/8" Hole in Shell with Kernel Eaten -- Pecan Weevil

Small White Grub Tunneling in the Shuck -- Hickory Shuckworm

Small Limbs Drop in Late Summer or Fall with Perfect Circle Cut in Bark -- Twig Girdler

Mass of Dark Grey Caterpillars Eating Foliage -- Walnut Caterpillar

Mass of Thick Grey Webbing Filled with Caterpillars In Late Summer -- Fall Webworm

Summary --

Pecan culture in Texas, whether it is commercial, native or landscape can be a very rewarding profession or avocation. There are millions of trees which produce good crops and reward the owners with a lifetime of satisfaction, pride, beauty and profits. The material presented here is not intended to discourage anyone who wants to grow pecans, but rather to help the grower who could be having problems. When all things are right for pecans at a site in Texas, there is no better crop one could choose.

EAT PECANS - READ WHY!

Pecan kernels contain 65 to 70 percent oil. Approximately 73 percent of fresh pecan oil consists of monounsaturated (oleic) and 17 percent polyunsaturated (linoleic) fatty acids. Oleic is the same fatty acid found in olives. Olive oil has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Pecans are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acid - similar to olive oil. Dr. Scott Grundy at the Southwest Medical Center in Dallas has shown that polyunsaturated fat diets lowered both plasma LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the monounsaturated fat diet only lowered plasma "BAD" LDL and left "GOOD"HDL intact resulting in a lower LDL/HDL ratio that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Pecans are also a great source of antioxidants ...... similar to red wine. Morgan and Clayshute at New Mexico State University published a paper in the Journal of the American Dietetics Association in 2000 which showed that pecan consumption significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in both high and low cholesterol subjects. Pecan consumption lowered "BAD"LDL-cholesterol by 10% in both high and low subjects at 4 weeks into the study. Pecan consumption had no effect on the "GOOD" HDL -cholesterol levels. The result was a lower LDL/HDL ratio that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

HOW MANY PECANS SHOULD I EAT?

According to USDA, the daily allowance of 1 ounce shelled pecans (or about 1/3 cup) can be substituted for1 ounce of beef or other foods from the meat food group. Other components of pecans are: Calories 167

Monounsaturated Fat 10.5 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4.2 g

Saturated fat 0.25 g

Protein 2.0 g

Cholesterol 0.00g

Sodium 0 mg

Potassium 8 mg

Phosphorus 3 mg

Calcium 9 mg

Iron 0.5 mg

Zinc 0.4 mg

Vitamin A 2 IU

Vitamin C 0.5 g

Vitamin E 0.8 g

Thiamin B1 0.2 mg

Riboflavin B2 0.03 mg

Niacin B3 0.23 mg

Vitamin B6 0.25 mg

Folate 10 mcg

Panotenic 0.43

Dietary Fiber 2 g

Carbohydrate 4.55 g 167 CALORIES ???!!!

And I'm trying to loose weight! Well just keep eating pecans. As reported last year, according to numerous studies (New Mexico Univ., American Heart Assn., Harvard - Brigham and Women's Hospital) of people eating pecans, all report participants lost equal weight as well as those on a low-fat diet but more so they kept their weight off longer that those that followed a low-fat diet.

PECAN RECIPES

Texas Pecan Country Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped

1/2 small onion, diced or 6 green onions

2 tablespoons butter

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon french style mustard

1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups finely diced Texas pecans

1 cup fine bread crumbs

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

On hard surface with meat mallet pound chicken to 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute mushrooms and onions in butter. Cool. Mix with cream cheese, mustard and thyme. Divide into 4 equal portions and spread on each piece of chicken. Fold over ends and roll up, pressing edges to seal. Mix pecans, bread crumbs and parsley in a bowl. Dip chicken in butter, then into crumbs, turning to coat. Place on greased baking sheet seam side down. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Makes 4 servings. Serve with rice.

Golden Pecan Bars

Pkg. yellow cake mix (pudding-added version)

1/3 c. margarine or butter, softened

1 c. ground or finely chopped pecans

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 egg whites

1/2 c. chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 pan. In large bowl, combine cake mix and margarine at low speed until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup crumbs for topping. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of prepared pan. In same large bowl, beat ground pecans, powdered, vanilla extract and egg whites on highest speed for 4 minutes. Pour evenly over crumbs. Combine 1/2 c. crumbs and chopped pecans, and sprinkle over egg white mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Yields 36 bars.

Sincerely,

Joseph D. Janak, Jr.

County Extension Agent - Ag

Victoria County

JDJ:vaf

cc: Lin Wilson