The Friends of the O.S. Gary Natural Area in Arlington are conducting a round-up of pecan trees associated with the former O.S. Gray Nursery, which operated from 1948 to 1978 on Division Street in Arlington.

Oscar Gray Sr. was known as the "Johnny Appleseed" of pecans because of his significance in the cultivation of pecan trees in Texas and the Nation. The City of Arlington recognized his efforts by naming the natural area, located on acreage that once was the location of his tree nursery, after him.

Oscar Gray Sr. and his son, Oscar Gray Jr., cultivated varieties of pecan trees sold for commercial crop production. Some of these were also sold to individuals through their retail store. The pecan varieties are GraBohls, GraTex, GraKing, GraZona, GraCross, and GranParkGiant.

The friends group would like to locate known pecan trees within Arlington of these varieties, photograph, collect nut samples, and catalog them for future reference. They are requesting residents of Arlington who know they have a tree of one of these varieties to reach out and contact them.

For more information, please email [email protected]!