Edina's 25-year pecan experiment proves cold-climate success
The Edina City Council heard a report on Tuesday about a successful quarter-century effort to grow northern pecan trees in the city's colder climate, with plans to expand the project to other parks.
For 25 years, Edina has been quietly conducting a botanical experiment at Arnison Acres Park that challenges conventional wisdom about what can grow in Minnesota's climate. Retired park service worker Tim Zimmerman spearheaded efforts to cultivate northern pecan trees in Edina's Zone 4 climate—a colder zone than the Zone 5 climate where these trees typically thrive in southern Minnesota.
The project has succeeded beyond expectations. According to the city's forester, the trees are now in such high demand that seeds are difficult to obtain without advance notice or getting on a waiting list. This scarcity underscores why the city's internal growing efforts matter: it allows Edina to develop a reliable supply of resilient tree species.
The city plans to expand pecan plantings to other parks as part of a broader strategy to diversify Edina's urban forest. As one council member noted, having "diversity of different nut trees growing" helps protect against diseases that can devastate single-species forests. The forester emphasized that this kind of biodiversity is essential for long-term forest health and resilience.
The project also involves practical horticultural techniques. Staff explained that pecan seeds require a process called scarification—placing them in a jar with sand and shaking them—to prepare them for germination. Harvesting the nuts presents its own challenge: as one speaker noted, "Once a squirrel sees them, within one or two days, they'll be all gone," illustrating the need for timely collection.
Looking ahead, the city plans to offer surplus pecan plants for public purchase at Edina's annual Mother's Day plant sale, allowing residents to grow these cold-hardy trees in their own yards. No formal vote was required for this report, which was presented as an informational feature rather than a policy decision.
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Northern Pecan Tree Growing Project and Future Expansion in City Parks
The segment highlights the successful cultivation of northern pecan trees over 25 years at Arnison Acres Park, challenging the belief that Edina's Zone 4 climate was too cold for them. Retired park service worker Tim Zimmerman's efforts in planting and harvesting these trees are central to the story. The city's forester emphasizes the importance of diversifying tree species for resilience against diseases. The discussion also covers the scarification process for nuts and plans to expand pecan tree plantings to other city parks, with surplus plants potentially offered for sale at the annual Mother's Day plant sale.
Once a squirrel sees them, within one or two days, they'll be all gone.
I believe the peacons originally from southern Minnesota, which is zone 5. We're in zone 4 up here.
And I think it's going to benefit having diversity of different nut trees growing because of different diseases and stuff that come by.
What they need is it's called scarification. And so what we do is just take them, put them in a big uh jar with with sand in there, and then shake them.
They're in such high demand that they won't even be available to order unless like you reach out to them ahead of time or get like on a list.
Source document
[Music] A botanical experiment has been growing at Arnison Acres Park for the past 25 years. With a little luck, the fruits of this trial run will take root in other city parks. Edina TV shows us where a handful of northern pean trees can be found and why growing more of them is so important. As with any harvest, >> ahead of me is the peon trees. >> Timing is everything. >> Once a squirrel sees them, within one or two days, they'll be all gone. >> It turns out squirrels have a big appetite for the pecan nuts. These seven trees at the south end of Arnison Acres Park are growing. But retired park service worker Tim Zimmerman's determination is even greater. >> There I go. I got two of them. You see, he helped to plant these trees 25 years ago, and he's been waiting all summer for this opportunity. >> Well, last year I was on vacation, and I came back a week later, and they're all gone. >> It turns out retirement, >> someone got three of them, >> has its benefits. >> They're absolutely delicious. It all started from Okus Nursery, which um they haven't been around for over seven years now. Uh grew these called the northern peacons. And I believe the peacons originally from southern Minnesota, which is zone 5. We're in zone 4 up here. >> In the past, it was thought this part of Minnesota was too cold for these trees, but now a handful are growing successfully. And the goal is to grow more. >> And I think it's going to benefit having diversity of different nut trees growing because of different diseases and stuff that come by. This year's harvest will go through a few months of refrigeration before a process that simulates critters scratching at the nuts husk. >> What they need is it's called scarification. And so what we do is just take them, put them in a big uh jar with with sand in there, and then shake them. >> But the city's forester says it's worth the effort. Just like this American chestnut growing nearby, a species that was nearly extinct, finding new seeds to grow is challenging. They're in such high demand that they won't even be available to order unless like you reach out to them ahead of time or get like on a list. >> Someday soon, more of these pecan trees will be found in other city parks. The squirrels will be there, too. >> And I got a feeling each year it's going to get better. >> I'm Dan Carpenter, Rodana TV. >> If more than enough of a pean sprout next year, the remaining plants will be available for purchase at the annual Mother's Day plant sale. Hosted by the Edina Garden Council.
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