Do you look for signs of spring? In south Louisiana, the pecan tree is always the last tree to sprout buds. We like to take that as a sure sign that winter has ended, no more freezing temps, it is now safe to plant spring vegetables. Legend has it, when the pecan leaves come out, winter is finally over. But sometimes winter doesn’t give up without a fight – so we hold our breath and root for the pecan tree, rejoicing at the first sign of green, celebrating the strength of spring.
The pecan leaves have sprouted, always the last to emerge. Legend foretells this is the sign of spring, the promise that winter is over. That was before climate change: all bets are off now. This morning a powerful north wind blew, chilling the air threatening to tear off the tender tufts of green shaking the limbs of the steadfast pecan tree yet the baby leaves held, clutching momma's fingers and momma wouldn't let go; the green remained evidence of the strength of spring in the face of power proof that winter must finally blow away