Pecan : Texas

From deep in the heart of Texas, we offer the Pecan HoldingCross.  This wood is both beautiful and rugged. One of the hardest of the American Hardwoods, this represents the ruggedness and beauty of Texas.

In the marketplace, you can get any of the eight species when you buy hickory lumber. True hickory is found throughout the eastern United States. However, the range of pecan hickories is limited; bitternut is throughout the eastern United States; pecan is found from Texas to Louisiana, through Missouri and Indiana; water hickory is found in Texas through South Carolina; and nutmeg is found in Texas and Louisiana. Separation of lumber into the two groups is impossible unless chemical or microscopic tests are used.

We purchase our lumber ... Pecan Hickory ... from deep in the heart of the Texas hill country because we wanted Texas Pecan from Texas because it is the state Tree!

The wood varies from light tan to a darker earth tone as shown in the picture. 

Some interesting notes ....

Pecans have been an important food for man an wild animals in Texas for thousands of years.  Prehistoric Indians depended on native pecans as food. Deer, turkey, squirrels, raccoons, crows and many other animals feed heavily on pecans today as they have in the past.

Whether you pronounce it "pih KAHN" or prefer "PEE kan", the pecan tree (carya illinoensis) is about as American a tree can get.  Archeological evidence shows native Americans in the area of Texas used pecans more than 8,000 years ago. The name comes from the Algonquin word "pacane" meaning "nut so hard as to require a stone to crack”.

Pecans are native only in the United States and crows may have contributed to their selection and distribution by carrying the thin-shelled nuts over several miles.  George Washington had pecans at Mount Vernon and, not to be outdone, gardener and connoisseur Thomas Jefferson had several trees imported from Louisiana for his orders at Monticello.

Pecan and other hickory woods are rated as the number three hardwood group in the United States.  It falls behind only Black Walnut and Black Cherry in terms of commercial value.

As with all of our crosses, there were no stains, lacquers or preservatives used to finish your cross; only a natural oil which is hand-rubbed and polished to enhance the woods natural beauty.  When you hold our crosses, you are “feeling” the wood and “seeing” the wood as God created it.  No two are alike as boards will vary in color and graining due the environmental conditions it was produced.  The shine on the cross is related to the amount of “resin” in the make-up of the wood itself.  The more resin the higher the shine.

Crosses are handcrafted in our Palestine, Texas (USA) facility offering the highest quality.  Crosses do not require polishing.  Holding your cross will allow the oils from your hands to go into the wood and create a soft, patina glow.  Never use oil or olive oil on our crosses.

Price noted is for 1 HoldingCross.  The picture of multiple crosses is to share with you the diversity of the wood.

Thoughts on Engraving : This wood works well with engraving.  Due to its tight grain, engraving comes out clear and precise.

Each cross comes in an organza bag with a StoryTag telling the name of the wood and a StoryScroll which contains suggested prayers, CareGiving stories and other information.  We do not offer seconds or damaged crosses. Our crosses are all first quality and handcrafted in our shop by our family.

NOTE : The HoldingCross watermark in the picture does not appear on the crosses.  The picture is marked for proprietary reasons.