9 July 2009 by Robert.

I was recently looking at all of the cool fruits available during the recent Fruit Tree Sale and ran across a fruit that I had no clue what it was. I was determined to find out all about this strange citrus in case I had to answer any questions about it.

Ujukitsu, Citrus ujukitsu Tanaka, originated in Kyushu, Japan and is considered quite rare. Several references mentioned that the ujukitsu is a cross between a lemon and an orange. That is not actually true; it is a hybrid lemon created in the early 1950’s by T. Tanaka. It is a lemon with a rather sweet flavor and is shaped like a small Bloomsweet grapefruit. The yellow, pear-shaped fruit can be peeled and eaten like a tangerine. Many folks say it tastes kind of like lemonade!

This variety does well in this part of Texas and should be considered a good option for a different type of citrus in your orchard. The typical protection you would use for other citrus during the cold weather would be proper for this tree also.

While researching this citrus, I came across information that shows that the oil of certain citrus [ujukitsu, yuzu (C. junos ), mochiyu (C. inflata ), and ponkan (C. reticulate)] is very effective at inhibiting the effects of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NMDA). NMDA is a highly toxic chemical that can be found in some foods (rare) and which can cause liver cancer. Use of ujukitsu oil extract actually reduces the effect of NMDA by inhibiting the formation of the chemical.

References:
Citrus Information by John Panzarella, Brief Description of Citrus Trees, http://johnpanza.googlepages.com/briefdescriptionofcitrustrees

Inhibitory Effects of Citrus Essential Oils and Their Components on the Formation of N-Nitrosodimethylamine, Sawamura, M., Sun, S.H., Ozaki, K., Ishikawa, J., and Ukeda, H. J. Agric. Food Chem., 47, 12, 4868 - 4872, 1999,  10.1021/jf9903206

Posted in Trees | 3 Comments »

22 June 2009 by Robert.

There are two basic types of pecan trees grown in Texas – native and varietals. The varietals, or cultivars, are referred to as ‘papershells’ and are a result of being propagated asexually by budding or grafting rather than propagation by seed. Native pecans produce nuts that are small but have high oil content.

For the home, pecan trees should be planted within 300 feet of another variety or a native pecan tree. Ideally, you should plant at least one early-pollen and one late-pollen shedding variety. Early-pollen shedding means that the pollen is shed before the female flowers are receptive and late-pollen shedding means the pollen is shed after the female flowers are receptive.

Below, we have listed several potential pecan varietals which are recommended by the USDA/Texas A&M for the coastal region of Texas. This list is not all-inclusive since new cultivars are continually being created to combat disease and pests and to increase the nut production. Some of these trees may not be available at your local nursery. Whichever tree you decide to purchase, buy only from reputable nurseries.

Varieties recommended for Fort Bend and surrounding counties by Texas A&M/USDA:

Late Pollen Shedding varietals: Choctaw, Forkert, Kiowa

Early Pollen Shedding varietals: Cheyenne, Desirable, Caddo, Cape Fear, Oconee, Houma

Additionally, some varieties recommendations by LSU for Louisiana homes differ significantly from those recommend by the USDA/Texas A&M even though the climates are similar. LSU recommends Candy, Elliott, Sumner, and Melrose (late pollen shedding) and Houma, Oconee, and Caddo (early pollen shedding). Further, LSU recommends we avoid Schley, Wichita and Desirable due to the high susceptibility to scab.

Various pecan pests and diseases can damage nut production. To combat these, visit the web sites listed below.

References:

Home Fruit Production for Pecans, Texas A&M, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/pecan/pecan.html
Pecan Cultivars, Texas A&M, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/carya/pecans/cvintro.htm
Selection and Care of Pecan Varieties for Louisiana Yards, Louisiana State University, http://www.lsuagcenter.com/nr/rdonlyres/2eb89798-5791-49af-8915-5bd0eb9edd92/2830/pub2074pecanvarieties91.pdf
Texas Pecan Growers Association http://www.tpga.org/
Pecan Kernel, Texas A&M, http://pecankernel.tamu.edu/
Texas AgriLife Bookstore, http://agrilifebookstore.org/
Fort Bend County Pecans, http://fbcp.tamu.edu/

Posted in Trees | No Comments »

29 May 2009 by Shari.

We’ve all seen them. Those growths on our oak trees that look like a tumor of some kind. But what are they and should I be worried about them? They probably look something like this picture.

Most may not be as pretty as this one and sometimes there are a cluster of these little balls all in the same place. As a matter of fact, these may not be small balls at all, but instead can be varying sizes up to an inch in diameter. These are oak galls.

Galls on trees are caused by insects, such as certain small wasps (cynipids) aphid species, flies, phylloxera, psyllids, thrips, moth caterpillars, beetles, and mites. Galls make the tree look unpleasant even unsightly. However, they do not damage the tree other than disfiguring it. 

You probably start to notice Galls in spring. The actual Gall itself is full of larvae and eggs that emerge from the Gall in a few weeks. The life cycle begins again and the females oviposit eggs on twigs and branches. These eggs remain dormant for 3 to 5 months.

Galls on oak trees are common and noticeable but do not cause damage. The best advice is to ignore these little suckers!

Posted in Trees | 1 Comment »