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| Pecans |
The 2021 mast crop is likely to be one of the heaviest in years. Foragers are finding trees laden with nuts and other wild foods.
Pecans are easy to harvest, store well, and have a variety of uses. Pecans can be picked from low hanging branches or harvested from the ground. Harvesters often find the best yields of pecans after sudden spells of cold, windy weather.
After drying, pecans are easily separated from their outer hulls. Large pecans are prized as food. Culls include nuts that are small or have broken shells. Although unsuitable for the table, the culled nuts can be used as animal food or for attracting wildlife.
Black walnuts are another common nut that is found in North America. Black walnuts are easily recognized and often plentiful. After falling from the tree, their green hulls eventually soften and turn dark in color.
Black walnuts are usually harvested on the ground and stored until their hulls dry thoroughly. After drying, the hulls are removed to reveal a hard, dark shell. Although black walnuts can be a challenge to open, they yield edible meats with a unique full flavor.
In addition to their popularity as a food, their green tannic-rich outer hulls have a variety of uses. One ripen, the dark hulls can used to create stains for woodworking or dyes for arts and crafts.
