How did the pecan become the Texas State Tree?
A. In March 1906 just before he died, former Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg requested that a pecan tree be planted at the head of his grave rather than a traditional monument. He wanted the nuts from that tree to be given out and widely planted to help make Texas “a land of trees.” His wish was carried out. People began to take special notice of pecan trees and in 1919 the Texas Legislature made the pecan the state tree. Gov. Hogg is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
