I’ve been called nuts more than a few times over the years. I don’t mind; nuts are versatile, unique, healthy, and as far as I know, no one is allergic to me.

I use a lot of nuts in my daily cooking. Although they are relatively high in fat, it is the good kind of fat. Studies have shown that adding nuts to a diet can actually reduce cholesterol.

Pecans are an ingredient in the official state dessert, Lane Cake. It was originally created by Emma Rylander Lane from Clayton for a baking competition at the County Fair in 1898. Alabama native, Harper Lee, made the cake famous as it was the specialty cake made by Miss Maudie in her novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Although rumor has it that Miss Maudie used more bourbon than pecans.

Alabama designated the Pecan as the official state nut in 1982. This is not surprising since Alabama ranks eighth in the United States for pecan production, averaging about 7 million pounds of nuts per year. Pecan trees thrive in the sandy loam soil and clay sub-soil typical of the state.

There are many pecan cultivars to choose from, and some specific characteristics should be considered, including, pollination type, nut size, bearing age and disease resistance.

Pollination type, protandrous or protogynous, referred to as Type I and Type II, refer to the characteristic of pecan cultivars to mature both male and female flowers at different times on the same tree. This tendency prevents self-fertilization and may hinder nut growth and development. For this reason, trees of both types must usually be present for optimum pollination.

Two important factors in regard to nut size are nuts per pound and percent kernel, the meat of the nut. The higher the percent kernel, the more meat is in the shell.

Pecan trees should start bearing fruit at an early age. However, it should not overbear as a mature tree to the point that the nut quality decreases or the tree begins to alternate-bear. Alternate-bear is the tendency for the tree to have an above-average crop one year and a mediocre crop the following year.

Scab is the most common and costly disease to control on pecan trees, however there are cultivars available that have excellent resistance and can be controlled by the application of fungicide. Common symptoms of pecan scab disease include brown to black lesions on stems, leaves, shucks and nuts.

The following is a list of pecan cultivars recommended for home planting in North Alabama:

• Gloria Grande, Pollination Type II. Bearing age: 7-9 years. Nuts per pound: 48; Percent kernel: 48. Excellent scab resistance;

• Jenkins, Pollination Type I. Bearing age: 7-8 years. Nuts per pound: 55; Percent kernel: 54. Excellent scab resistance;

• Syrup Mill, Pollination Type I. Bearing age: 7 years. Nuts per pound: 65; Percent kernel: 47. Excellent scab resistance;

• Gafford, Pollination Type I. Bearing age: 7-8 years. Nuts per pound: 56; Percent kernel: 50. Excellent scab resistance; and

• McMillan, Pollination Type II. Bearing age: 6-7 years. Nuts per pound: 56; Percent kernel: 51. Good scab resistance.

Although pecan cultivars may have excellent disease resistance, space trees so that they do not become overcrowded and allows for good air movement.

Have a soil test preformed before planting. The pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Dolomitic limestone can be added, if necessary. Based on the soil test, a fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium can be incorporated into the prepared area, but avoid adding nitrogen, which can cause injury to the root system. Plant the tree so that the tap root can be fully extended and the other roots can be spread out without bending.

Once the tree starts to bear, have a seat underneath and enjoy a piece of Lane Cake. Until next week, happy gardening.

— Kipp Irland, a member of the Limestone County Master Gardeners, can be reached at kippirland@hotmail.com. For more information on the Limestone County Master Gardeners, visit http://mg.aces.edu/limestone.