National Pecan Month

April is National Pecan Month, a celebration America’s only native nut tree. A relative of the Hickory tree, pecan trees are prevalent throughout the Southeastern United States, but can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as Indiana and Illinois. Some other pecan facts:

• Pecans contain 19 vitamins and minerals
• The pecan trees at Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s estate in Alexandria, Virginia were planted more than 200 years ago and still thrive.
• Pecans are grown commercially in 11 states
• The US pecan crop is worth more than $300 million per year.

^{(photo © istockphoto)}