Late varieties caught by early cold

The summer of 2007 was dry in the middle period from December 2006 to mid-April 2007 when we had good late rains.
The typical semi-desert cold evenings in autumn became moisture laden on the temperatures did not drop so low.
The trigger for dormancy was delayed.


Some varieties mature their crop in fewer days after flowering than others. Pawnee is a short season variety, Choctaw and Wichita need more time.


We had a sudden and dramatic cold before the trees were ready for it.

The Pawnee and Barton had already started browning off. The Choctaw and Wichita had just begun to split and dry the shucks that encase each nut.
The frost got them and turned them black.
The leaves were caught green on the trees.
The first picture shows a row of Barton on the right with Choctaw on the left.
The second shows a Wichita two weeks after this cold snap.
The photos were taken today.