Grandma is no longer with us, but her pecan trees still live. The local wildlife has always appreciated these trees, but they have become neglected by man. Their story was almost lost.
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| A shed snake skin close by the trees gave me the shivers! |
I was telling my father about George Washington planting pecan trees at Mount Vernon. I was so impressed that George Washington had planted a pecan, and a tree had grown, and that it is still living today. That's when he told me the story of these pecan trees. Grandma had planted these pecan trees when she was very young, around 3 or 4 years of age. Grandma was born in 1912, so that would make these trees not quite, but almost, 100 years old. We have always referred to these trees as "Grandma's pecan trees", but I didn't realize why. I always thought "Grandma's pecan trees" referred to them being on her land, or her being able to see them from the windows of her home. I never knew that she herself had planted them. No wonder she was so protective of these trees.
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| I never really paid much attention to these pecan trees before. |
And that gave me an idea.
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| Yes, literally over the meadow and through the woods. |
So, when David said it was time to gather pecans, off I went. Literally, over the meadow and through the woods to Grandma's house I went. Not to gather pecans for pies, but for something much more special.
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| One of Grandma's pecan trees |
When my grandchildren come for Christmas, I want them to plant pecans that came from Grandma's trees. Oh, I hope, I hope that these seeds will grow into trees. And it's my fantasy that some day, one or more of my grandchildren's grandchildren will pick pecans from these trees so that their grandchildren can plant a tree, all passed down from Grandma's pecan trees.
Do you have any pecan planting tips for me?
A very special story and special memories in the making for the future. How fun that you live so close to where she grew up.
ReplyDeleteMy great-grandparents made their living in part by selling pecans from their ranch near Austin. It's a large housing complex now and most of the trees are gone but I just might check next time I'm in the area.
I hope you find some of their trees still living, and are able perhaps to find some pecans to plant.
DeleteHow nostalgic! My grandfather was an ardent pecan grower. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy great-grandparents had an orchard (peaches mostly), but all those trees have been gone for a long time. Grandma's pecan trees are the only fruiting trees left.
DeleteWow! - that's a story. I've never seen a pecan tree before, the formation reminds me of London plane trees (or your American sycamores). I'm guessing that the species evolved earlier than most trees around today.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why pecan trees aren't more popular in England. They sometimes get a bad reputation here for losing limbs in storms, but obviously it's a survival instinct that works well for them, as they usually live long lives.
Deletethey say you plant trees for your grandchildren - for you that is literally true.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope they will look upon these newly planted trees with joy every time they see them - (and I hope the seeds grow to fulfill my expectations!).
DeleteThe end of this post had me going Oh, oh my gosh...what a beautiful sentiment.
ReplyDeleteI do so wish you much luck in this endeavor, could you imagine them picking pecans in the coming generations.
Jen
Perhaps when they have children they'll be able to pick enough pecans to have pecan pie!
DeleteBe sure to plant extra ones in pots so you have enough to do what you want for everyone. That is such a great idea.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I picked quite a few pecans, so I think I'll have enough to do as you suggest. :)
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ReplyDeleteA lovely story of nostalgia, and a sense of tradition and legacy :)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be fun if it truly does become a tradition to plant a pecan tree?
DeleteI think that is wonderful that you have pecan trees planted by your grandmother when she was a child! I love your idea of passing trees down from "Grandma's Trees." Our neighborhood was built in a pecan orchard, so we have several pecan trees in our yard, but I have no idea how to plant them. I enjoyed your lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some pecan orchards around here, and I just love the look of them. So stately, and yet so peaceful. I would love to live in a neighborhood such as that.
DeleteGreat story about Grandmas Pecan Trees. My tip for planting would be to talk to the squirrels! Every year they plant pecans and I HATE it. By the time I can see the pecan twig the tap root is three feet INTO the ground and it is a pain to keep after. Not sure how much room you have but away from the house and away from the street as the city will appear one day and say "oh those limbs have to be 15 ft off the curb"
ReplyDeletehaha - I'll see if I can find a squirrel to give me their secret! At least I have hope that planted pecans can actually grow into trees. Yes, I have been wondering where to put them so that they'll have plenty of room to grow. I'm going to have to designate a special place for them!
DeleteAwww, sweet. I hope your dream comes true! I love Pecans, and they make a great pie, too!
ReplyDeleteI will have to cook a pecan pie for Christmas, too, to mark the occasion!
DeleteWow, awesome trees and what a neat idea. Wiki says pecan trees may live and bear edible seeds for more than 300 years. I don't have any tips, but hope they can start the seeds that'll grow for future generations!
ReplyDelete300 years! That is truly amazing. We rarely think about something we plant being around for such a long time!
DeleteWhat a great idea and tribute. I hope the kids appreciate the gesture. They will look at it later in life and remember I am sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, like "Grandma's pecan trees" these will have to be named, but after the grandchildren. That will make the trees special to them, I think.
DeleteThat's such a wonderful and thoughtful thing to do! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea - I hope it pans out!
DeleteWhat a lovely story - The might Pecan tree lives over 200 years so many wondrous new trees can come from your Grand mothers tree. I also hope for you that the seeds will grow to big trees.
ReplyDeleteI guess if they don't work this year, I can keep planting them every year until they do! I truly had no idea pecan trees lived so very long!
DeleteA wonderful story, wish I could create a comparable tradition with my family.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you could think of something! A lot of people have a special rose bush that gets passed down, or a special plant or flower that reminds them of their ancestors. I bet you already have something that could easily become a tradition.
DeleteWe do not see many here and it is a shame. Wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that Mount Vernon had one so old. I think of pecan trees as a Southern tree, even though I might be wrong about that!
DeleteMy goodness what a beautiful story about family and tradition...I too planted trees in the snow today but yours is such a special story.
ReplyDeleteI hope your trees grow big and strong! I didn't even realize things could be planted in the snow!
DeleteLoved your post! My grandmother had pecan trees too! I remember picking them up from the ground and that it was always a little sticky when we sat under them. What great memories!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that a garden can contain so many memories - memories that might be lost until we see that one certain plant.
DeleteThat is a very cool story. I don't know anything about pecan trees but you should read up on how to germinate the seeds so that the planting is a success and the tradition continues.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading about that, and it seems that putting them in the refrigerator for a month or so, then soaking them in water for a day or so before planting is the most recommended, and the routine I'll follow. I hope it's successful!
DeleteWhat a charming, charming story. I hope it gets passed through many generations of your family.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be wonderful? Hard to know, but easy to hope for.
DeleteHere the pecan trees don't grow and I never eaten pecans. But as you I have been wanting to plant any tree that my grandchildren could play under it.
ReplyDeletePretty story!
I had been thinking about planting some trees with my grandchildren, and had thought of oaks, until I learned of the story behind these trees. Then I knew immediately that this was the tree my grandchildren and I should plant. I hope you also plant a tree for your grandchildren.
DeleteI don't know about Pecan trees Holley, but I see Pecan nuts in the supermarket, although apparently the aren't really a nut. A very beautiful story about grandmas tree.
ReplyDeleteI have wondered why pecan trees aren't worldwide. I would think they would grow more places than they are grown.
DeleteWhat a special way of celebrating the link between generations! And also a great way to instill a love of gardening in your children, though I suspect they may have inherited that anyway!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that they will also love to garden someday as much as I do. I find such joy and peace in the garden.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story and way to continue the story! So very special! I hope your grandchildren's pecan trees grow to be as large as your grandmother's some day!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be wonderful! It will be interesting to see what happens in the future, as it always is.
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