Our family has a life-long interest in pecans. We harvest many of them from native trees that grow naturally near creeks and rivers on our ranch. I've heard these native trees called “a gift from God” by local farmers and ranchers who rely on the annual harvest to help pay the bills.
The pecans from native trees taste great and have a thick shell that provides built-in protection from many insect pests. That built-in protection means that most native trees (at least in our area) are not sprayed with pesticides; an important consideration for our customers concerned with the effects of pesticides and a benefit for the farmer or rancher who is spared the expense.
When I was a little girl (and even not so little) my brother and I would pick up pecans to earn money for Christmas. It was great fun – like a treasure hunt! We picked them up on our hands and knees back then and climbed the trees to shake out the stubborn ones. I've only had one broken bone in my life and I got it falling out of a pecan tree when I was 16!
These days we use special equipment to harvest pecan trees. My dad, Owen (O.N. to his friends), harvests the family’s trees and provides harvesting services to friends and neighbors in the area. During “on” years when the trees have a big yield he stays busy from daylight to dark with his crew. If needed, my brother and I pitch in and, I think, make pretty good crew members in a pinch. We've had lots of practice over the years.
I appreciate the efficiency of the harvesting machinery, but when I get the chance I still grab a bucket and slip away to do some “treasure-hunting” under a big tree…and take my brother when I can talk him into it ;)
Lisa Riley Childress - Little Orchard Pecans
The pecans from native trees taste great and have a thick shell that provides built-in protection from many insect pests. That built-in protection means that most native trees (at least in our area) are not sprayed with pesticides; an important consideration for our customers concerned with the effects of pesticides and a benefit for the farmer or rancher who is spared the expense.
When I was a little girl (and even not so little) my brother and I would pick up pecans to earn money for Christmas. It was great fun – like a treasure hunt! We picked them up on our hands and knees back then and climbed the trees to shake out the stubborn ones. I've only had one broken bone in my life and I got it falling out of a pecan tree when I was 16!
These days we use special equipment to harvest pecan trees. My dad, Owen (O.N. to his friends), harvests the family’s trees and provides harvesting services to friends and neighbors in the area. During “on” years when the trees have a big yield he stays busy from daylight to dark with his crew. If needed, my brother and I pitch in and, I think, make pretty good crew members in a pinch. We've had lots of practice over the years.
I appreciate the efficiency of the harvesting machinery, but when I get the chance I still grab a bucket and slip away to do some “treasure-hunting” under a big tree…and take my brother when I can talk him into it ;)
Lisa Riley Childress - Little Orchard Pecans
Early morning on the front porch at Riley Ranch.