The official state tree of Texas is the Pecan tree. The story surrounding this is very interesting. In 1906, then Governor of Texas James Hogg while in his deathbed made a request to plant a Pecan tree at his grave’s head instead of having the usual headstone. His request was granted and soon after his death, this tree was planted at the head of his grave.

Several years later, in 1919 to be exact, the Texas government is deciding on which tree they should choose to be their state tree. The incident that happened in 1906 with Hogg was recollected and is believed to have greatly influenced their decision to choose Pecan tree as the Texas state tree. In addition, there are also fossils of this tree found in Texan that suggested that the tree was present before human inhibition. Also, the state of Texas is the second largest producer of Pecans in the United States. There is also a Texan Pecan Festival being observed in southwest region of Texas every year. Aside from Texas, this tree is also the state tree of Alabama.

With scientific name “Carya illinoensis”, this tree belongs to the hickory species and grows abundantly in the US. It can be found in other US states such as Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Iowa. The Pecan tree can grow between 65 -130 feet in high while there are some that can grow as high as 145 feet. The thickness of the tree’s trunk is around 10 feet in diameter while the branches of Pecan tree can spread from 40 to 75 feet.

Pollux Parker is an adventurer who loves discovering secret island getaways in each country he visits. Pollux also likes to collect Texas flag and buy inexpensive Texas flag.