The Georgia Pecan Commission recognizes November as “National Georgia Pecan Month,” honoring farmers, harvesters and the nut that helped build agricultural identity across the South.
According to GeorgiaPecans.org, November was chosen because it aligns perfectly with the state’s peak harvest season, when orchards across Georgia are filled with fresh pecans ready for market and celebration. Deep South Magazine explains that the observance began as a way to promote the crop during its natural harvest window and to honor Georgia’s leading role as the nation’s top pecan producer. The magazine notes that pecans are not just an agricultural product but a symbol of southern heritage, flavor and resilience.
The pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is a member of the hickory family and is considered a hardwood species. Native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, it’s prized not only for its nuts but also for its dense, durable wood.”
According to GeorgiaExperience.org, pecan trees are perennials that produce nuts year after year once established. It generally takes six to ten years for a grafted pecan tree to bear significant yields and up to fifteen years for seed-grown trees. Once mature, pecan trees can continue producing for decades—often more than a century.
Pecan wood, like other hickories, is valued for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, tool handles, and smoking meats due to its strength and rich, aromatic qualities. The bark has been traditionally used by some herbalists in decoctions and salves, and the leaves are known to contain tannins with mild astringent properties.
Wildlife benefits from the pecan harvest as well. According to the University of Georgia Extension, squirrels are prolific hoarders of pecans, while deer and raccoons often feed on fallen nuts. Farmers and orchard managers frequently use fencing or other deterrents, such as tree baffles and spikes, to prevent wildlife from stripping trees during peak harvest.
In export markets, Georgia pecans continue to expand their global reach. According to the Georgia Pecan Commission, the state exports in-shell pecans primarily to China, India, South Korea and Turkey. Domestically, the majority of pecans are used in food manufacturing—most famously for pecan pies, pralines, and snack nuts, as well as in newer value-added products like pecan oil, pecan flour and nut butters.
According to the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, there are more than 500 named varieties of pecans, although only a few dozen are commonly cultivated for commercial production. Popular Georgia-grown varieties include Stuart, Desirable, Sumner, Cape Fear, Elliott, Schley, Kiowa and Pawnee—each differing slightly in size, shell thickness, and flavor profile.
The 2024–2025 harvest season hasn’t been without challenges. According to the University of Georgia Extension and National Nut Grower Magazine, Hurricane Helene caused significant damage across the state, uprooting mature trees and stripping branches during critical growth stages. The Georgia Pecan Commission estimates that roughly 48,000 acres of pecan orchards were impacted, particularly in southwest Georgia. While many farmers expect to recover, the storm’s effects are projected to reduce yields well into the 2025 harvest season.
In terms of timing, the pecan season in Georgia typically begins in mid-October, when the outer shuck splits open, and continues through November. Some varieties mature as early as late September, while others may not be ready until December, depending on the weather and soil conditions. According to Hudson Pecan Company, most Georgia orchards complete their harvests by Thanksgiving each year.
Culinary uses for pecans are as rich and diverse as their history. Beyond the iconic pecan pie, Georgians use pecans in cobblers, pralines, brittles, and cakes. They’re also a southern staple for savory dishes, often ground into crusts for fish or chicken, or pressed into pecan oil for salad dressings and other uses. According to ExploreGeorgia.org, chefs across the state incorporate local pecans into everything from smoked meats to vegan desserts, proving the nut’s versatility in both traditional and modern cuisine.
For landmark trees, Georgia’s connection to the pecan goes deep. In St. Marys, a historical marker titled “First Pecan Trees Grown Here About 1840” commemorates early cultivation in the state. While Augusta doesn’t have an official pecan monument, the city and the surrounding CSRA region are home to numerous mature trees that have stood for generations. In Braselton, one of Georgia’s oldest and largest pecan trees—believed to be more than 300 years old—once drew visitors as a living symbol of the state’s agricultural legacy.
Closer to home, the Central Savannah River Area, has its own ties to the pecan industry. Stuckey’s, located at 705 South Main Street in Wrens, Georgia, is one of the region’s key processors and distributors, known famously for its original pecan log roll.
Under Stephanie Stuckey, the company has made a resurgence since the pandemic. Founded in 1937 in Eastman, Georgia, by Stuckey’s grandfather, Stuckey’s began as a pecan stand.
Stuckey’s acquired Atwell Pecans in 2022 and invested $5 million into Jefferson County, where the signature confections are now produced. Read more here about Stephanie Stuckey, the company’s history and her work in this article from the Augusta Good News archives.
The company recently updated its candy outlet store.
One of the region’s notable family-owned orchards is The Pecan Barn in Blythe, Georgia. Owned by James B. Powell III, the farm has been in operation for more than 80 years, initially started by Powell’s grandfather. Spanning 300 acres, the orchard grows eight varieties of pecans along with blueberries, peaches, and produce. Powell said his goal is to carry on the family legacy while expanding operations through new plantings and an on-farm retail store.
“We’re still recovering from Hurricane Helene,” Powell said. “We’re cleaning up the orchards, repairing our irrigation system and buildings, and preparing to plant new trees next year.”
While the Pecan Barn doesn’t distribute on a large commercial scale, it participates in spring and fall festivals and sells fresh shelled and in-shell pecans directly to the public. The farm also promotes the fact that the pecan is now officially designated as the Georgia State Nut and highlights its nutritional value and use in producing healthy pecan oil. To learn more about The Pecan Barn or to purchase fresh pecans directly, visit thepecanbarn.net, call 706-421-3936, or stop by the farm store at 228 Church Street, Blythe, Georgia 30805.
Two significant events highlight this year’s festivities. The Pecan Festival of Georgia will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Park, 200 SW Central Avenue in Blackshear, Georgia. Hosted by the Exchange Club of Blackshear, the event features the Georgia State Pecan Pie Contest, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, and a classic car show. More information is available at theblacksheartimes.com.
A second event, the 46th Annual Pecan Festival in Baconton, Georgia, will take place Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 333 East Walton Street. According to AllEvents.in, the festival includes a parade, cooking competitions, and pecan tastings. Both events showcase Georgia’s thriving pecan industry and highlight the small towns that keep its traditions alive.
For those who prefer to celebrate with dessert, the Georgia Pecan Commission offers this classic Georgia Pecan Pie recipe:
Ingredients: 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup light or dark corn syrup, one teaspoon vanilla, three tablespoons melted butter, 1½ cups chopped or halved Georgia pecans, and one unbaked 9-inch pie crust.
Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk the eggs lightly, then add the sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir in the pecans and pour into the crust. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool before serving.
Whether you attend a local festival, visit an orchard or nearby store, or bake a homemade pie, November is the perfect time to honor one of Georgia’s sweetest and most enduring treasures: the pecan.
Nick Lovett is an independent journalist with over 20 years of experience in news media and marketing. A former writer for Aiken Standard and Fort Gordon’s Signal newspaper, she focuses on human interest stories that highlight resilience, community and positive change.
