When Hurricane Georges blasted through coastal Mississippi last week, the pecan crop took a beating, but nurseries escaped with light to moderate damage. Extension agricultural agents in some southern counties described significant damage to pecans and trees. John Wesley, Stone County Extension agent, called this year's pecan harvest in his county a complete loss. The crop was only about three weeks from harvest.
Nuts are on the ground, as are limbs and trees.
Stone County has lost about 600 acres of pecans. Dr. Freddie Rasberry, horticulturist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said most pecans on the ground are not mature enough to be saved, but a few may be salvaged. These nuts that are now on the ground have not begun to crack their shells and are lost as a result. Some of the early-maturing varieties might have cracked their shells before being blown off. These nuts may be salvaged.