Pecans, Acorns, & Berries, Oh My

 Overflowing 40 lb. bag of Pecans

Side Note: Before we get started, let's set the record straight. This article talks about our Pecan crops. As in a Pe-cahn, not a Pee-can. Because as my great grandmother always said, " A Pee-can is something you find under your grandmother's bed." 

This Fall/Winter the Delta experienced a somewhat rare natural phenomenon; one whose occurrence remains a mystery to those of who study the natural world for a living...money growing on trees. Yes, it's true. Our pecan and acorn crops were quite prolific this year. Align them with prices of .85-$1.00/lb and you pretty much have money growing on trees.

One of the Pecan pickers for our orchard at the farm

As it turns out, we have been experiencing a "mast year" for our native nut producers.  A "mast year" is when fruit producing trees and shrubs produce a significant amount of fruit (mast). This process can also be called masting. It's as if the stars aligned just right causing our oaks to produce record numbers of acorns and our pecans to produce record numbers of pecans.

What causes a mast crop?
Without going into grave ecological detail, the oldest theory is based on the fact that seed output varies because the plant's available resources vary. And based on our drought conditions (lack of the water resources) this summer, it makes sense that these plants felt threatened and went into mass production mode...a natural "Hail Mary" for reproduction.

Signs posted at the Fulton's orchard

The mast year proved to be a bit of a headache for those who own pecan orchards or who deer hunt. Throughout the highways of the Delta, pecan trees are littered with "no trespassing" signs. To those not from the area, you may think we don't approve of others climbing our trees or that our dogs reside in our pecan trees... But in a year when money did practically grow on trees, "no trespassing" was the closest manufactured sign we could get to "don't pick my pecans". I had the pleasure of visiting with Martha and Roy Fulton who have utilized these signs with success. The Fultons are still picking up pecans in their orchard on Highway 82. They had gathered a draw dropping number of pecans from their 1 acre orchard. This was after they had lost some trees due to the seep water from our high water levels this spring. Their orchard backs up to the levee. The Fulton's have had issues with people not only stealing pecans, but littering and  taking items from their barn.

 Martha & Roy gathering a day's harvest

If you were to decide to gather up some pecans, the state of Mississippi would not tolerate it. According to my friend, John L. Herzog Jr, Esq., at the District Attorney's office in Greenville, the stealing of pecans had the police and sheriff dispatched on numerous occasions. So we decided to check out the statute:

§ 97-17-89. Trespass; destruction or carrying away of vegetation, etc. not amounting to larceny 

   Any person who shall enter upon the closed or unenclosed lands of another or of the public and who shall willfully and wantonly gather and unlawfully sever, destroy, carry away or injure any trees, shrubs, flowers, moss, grain, turf, grass, hay, fruits, nuts or vegetables thereon, where such action shall not amount to larceny, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($ 500.00), or be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months in the county jail, or both; and a verdict of guilty of such action may be rendered under an indictment for larceny, if the evidence shall not warrant a verdict of guilty of larceny, but shall warrant a conviction under this section.

 Ilex latifolia (Lusterleaf Holly)

Yet, it appears this mast year in the Delta is not just within our tree species. The woody ornamentals, such as Hollies, Ligustrums, Cedars, Nandinas and any other species that produce a fruit have been following in step with our tree species and seem to be laden with berries. Berries in the winter time are always beautiful, as they provide vibrant pops of color amidst a sea of browns, grays, and deep greens.  Not only do they provide a sight for sore, cold eyes, certain species provide food for many of out native bird and animal species.

Nandina domestica (Nandina)

With some nibbles missing...

And although the mast crops caused problems for some farmers & sportsmen, it created some stunning landscape shrubs for homeowners. Whether it is a mast year or not, plants that produce berries are always a great choice for you landscape. As I mentioned earlier, they are a beacons of color during these months when we have some extremely dull colors out there. Not only that, but many of our berry producing plants are excellent evergreen selections for screens, foundation, and structural plantings.

 

Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet)
Enjoy the berries, but don't plant....

 

Ilex decidua or Ilex verticillata...Possumhaw or Winterberry

Excellent deciduous holly selections. 

Ilex Cornuta (Chinese Holly)

Protected by this momma mockingbird 24/7.

The American Horticulture Society recommended a few more shrubs with fall/winter berries in their latest issue of The American Gardener:

Hollies (Ilex spp.)*

Firethorns (Pyracantha spp.)

Chokeberries (Aronia spp.)*

Spicebush (Lindera spp.)*+

Beautyberries (Callicarpa spp.)*

Mahonias (Mahonia spp.)

Sumacs (Rhus spp.)

Viburnums (Viburnum spp.)+

*Indicates native species available

+Indicates certain species are great for attracting bird

Just when you thought landscapes were dull this time of year, they can really surprise you. Take a look around your neighborhood and enjoy the shrubs with beautiful berries and trees with an abundance of fruit, but whatever you do, don't take them for yourself because we carry shotguns around here....