Buzz
Pecan trees are native to the central and southern regions of North America. They thrive best in deep, rich soil. The plump, delicious pecans are commonly used in baking or as ingredients in sweet desserts. The wood of the tree is often utilized for making furniture and flooring. Growing a pecan tree typically starts by planting either bare-root saplings or potted trees in an area far from urban developments and other obstacles. Pecan trees mature in two to three years, requiring frequent watering to produce high-quality nuts. Continue reading from Step One for more details on how to grow a pecan tree.
Steps
Choosing the Right Variety and Planting Location
Learn About the Different Pecan Varieties. Different varieties of pecan trees grow to varying sizes and bear different types of nuts. Whether you’re looking for a tree that provides shade, growing up to more than 30.5 meters tall, or one that produces rich, flavorful nuts, you will find a pecan variety that suits your needs. Make sure to choose a variety that grows well in your climate, considering both its winter hardiness and disease resistance. Here are some popular pecan varieties:
- Elliot: produces small yet high-quality nuts, bearing fruit every two years. Not suitable for northern regions, as the tree is prone to frost damage; best grown in Georgia.
- Gloria Grande: produces large, thick-shelled nuts, with consistent annual yields and resistance to scab, a common fungal disease. However, it is vulnerable to black aphids.
- Amling: resistant to scab and yields nuts quickly, with early harvesting. The nuts are small but of excellent quality.
- Sumner: relatively delicate but produces nuts frequently.
- Gafford: highly resistant to pests and widely preferred in Alabama; produces top-quality nuts.
- McMillan: grows well, yields abundant nuts, and requires relatively low maintenance; popular in Alabama.
Select a location with plenty of sunlight and open space. Pecan tree varieties can grow over 30.5 meters tall, with deep and spreading roots. They require a lot of space, whether you plant them in a yard or garden. When choosing a location, consider the following:
- Ensure there are no buildings or other trees nearby. A pecan tree can damage structures or smaller trees if its branches break during growth.
- If planting in a garden, space the trees at least 18.3 meters apart. Keep each pecan tree about 10.67 meters away from others. If the trees are planted too densely, the faster-growing ones will overshadow the slower-growing ones, leading to stunted growth and even death of the shaded trees, negatively affecting the harvest of both.
Ensure the soil is deep and well-draining. This type of soil is best suited for growing pecan trees, originating from river valley areas. Pecan trees prefer loamy soils but can also grow in heavier soils as long as they drain well. Light or rocky soils are more challenging for the development of pecan trees.
- Avoid planting in light or dry soils unless you plan to irrigate, as pecan trees require a lot of water.
- Avoid low-lying areas prone to frost, as pecan trees will suffer frost damage. Plant them in higher ground (but in lower latitudes).
Choose between bare-root or potted trees. Most pecan trees are sold as bare-root saplings, typically under 1 meter tall. There are also potted versions, which are usually older trees.
- Bare-root trees are cheaper but weaker, and they must be planted between December and March.
- Potted trees are more expensive but stronger, and can be planted between October and May.
Plant the tree on the same day you bring it home. Exposing the tree to heat and dry air can cause the roots to dry out. Remember, the key is that pecan trees must remain moist. They will quickly die if they dry out.
- If you have a potted pecan tree to plant, you can keep it for a day or two or longer before planting, as long as you water it thoroughly.
- Revive a dried tree by soaking its roots in water before planting.
Planting the Tree
Inspect the pecan tree before planting it in the ground. Remove all dead branches and broken roots, as they will hinder the healthy growth of the tree.
Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the main root. Pecan trees have long, brittle main roots that need to be spread out beneath the soil. Dig a hole deep enough to fit the length of the main root and wide enough for the rest of the root system. The hole should be about 0.9 meters deep and 1 meter wide.
- If the hole is too shallow, the main root will not develop properly. Avoid planting the tree in a shallow hole.
- However, make sure the hole is only deep enough to cover the roots. If the hole is too deep, the tree may sink, causing the roots to rot or be damaged, leading to poor growth or even premature death.
- A long-handled spade is the best tool if you're planting just a few trees.
Place the tree in the hole. Position the roots naturally, and keep the main root intact when lowering the tree into the hole. Be careful not to break any root branches, especially the main root, as this can cause problems during the growth process.
- Do not plant the tree too deep in the soil. The root branches and main root should be inside the hole, but the trunk must be above the ground. Start planting from where the tree's bark changes color above the roots. Planting too deep will prevent the tree from growing properly.
- If using a potted tree, ensure the main root is stretched out. Main roots are often curled in the pot. Gently straighten the main root and lower the tree into the hole.
Fill the hole. Once the tree is positioned in the hole, pour water to fill about three-quarters of the hole. Then, add soil when the water begins to soak in, continuing to alternate between soil and water until the hole is completely filled. Cover the top with a little more soil.
- Do not compact the soil too tightly; just fill the hole until it is level with the ground.
- The water helps the tree absorb the necessary moisture while preventing air pockets from forming in the soil.
Prune the tree's top. Trim about half to one-third of the tree's top branches, a process known as 'topping.' This encourages the nutrients to focus on developing the root system rather than the top growth. At this stage, the goal is to promote strong root development.
Apply paint to the tree trunk. This step helps protect the tree from intense sunlight. Use white latex paint and coat the trunk from the base above the soil to the first set of branches. Repeat this process during the first three years. If you prefer not to use paint, you can also use tree wraps or tubes, which are available at garden supply stores.
Shield the tree. Use straw or leaves, each about 15 cm long. Cover the area around the base of the tree and above the root system. This will protect the tree from weeds and help prevent frost damage during the first few years.
Caring for the Tree
Water adequately. Water the area around the pecan tree thoroughly immediately after planting. For the first six months, water regularly with approximately 37.9 to 56.8 liters per week. However, avoid overwatering or watering too frequently, as this can lead to harmful waterlogging.
- Keep in mind that some of the water requirements can be fulfilled by rainfall.
- Once the tree matures, watering becomes essential during the fruit-bearing process in late summer. In dry climates, the tree will require up to 1324.9 liters of water per day to prevent the pecans from becoming small or powdery.
Determine when to fertilize. During the first three years, fertilize at the beginning of summer. Apply 0.45 kg of 5-10-5 fertilizer for every 2.54 cm of trunk diameter. For mature trees, apply 1.81 kg of 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 2.54 cm of trunk diameter, with a maximum fertilizer amount of 11.35 kg. Do not apply the fertilizer directly to the roots; instead, spread it evenly around the tree.
- If you desire premium quality pecans, consider using a zinc-based spray fertilizer to encourage better fruit growth. Only do this if you notice that the fruit still lacks sufficient quantity after several years.
- Use ammonium nitrate to stimulate growth if necessary.
Control pests and diseases. Regularly inspect your pecan trees for any signs of insects, pests, or wildlife damage. Consider using recommended insecticides or treatments to control and eliminate infestations. For mature trees, you may need a ladder or special equipment for proper care. Common pests and diseases include:
- Squash bugs
- Pecan scales
- Squirrels and birds
Regularly prune your pecan trees. Remove excess branches, dead wood, and low-hanging or sagging branches. Pruning helps ensure healthy growth without overdevelopment. You should also manage the weeds around the base of the tree, as they can hinder the growth of young trees and compete for water needed for their healthy development.
Harvest pecans after the shells have split. One way to harvest pecans is by gently shaking the branches to drop the nuts onto the ground. Collect them promptly. Avoid leaving them on moist soil or wet leaves, as they can become waterlogged, crack, or even begin to sprout.
- Using a long pole to carefully knock the pecans from the shell will allow you to harvest them gently and avoid damaging the next season's crop.
- You can also wait for the pecans to fall naturally, particularly after a windy night. Squirrels tend to collect them quickly, so be sure to harvest before they do! Industrial orchards often use special tree-shaking machines to help remove the nuts from the shells and collect those that have fallen.
Dry the fresh pecans to preserve them. Pecans last longer when dried. The best preservation method occurs when the shell is fully hardened and the nut has a high oil content.
- To dry the nuts, spread them out on a dry surface or place them on raised screens protected from rain and humidity. The nuts will fully dry in about two weeks. A good indicator is when the nutmeat breaks when cracked open.
- Pecans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months to prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods.
- For longer storage, keep them in the freezer.
Tips
- Enjoy the natural, healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids, delicious essential oils, muscle-building proteins, along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals.
- Pecan nuts can be eaten whole or used as an ingredient in recipes for bread, cookies, pastries, as well as in versions of "traditional Southern pecan pie," made with either dark or light syrup and rich, sweet chocolate.
Warning
- Avoid using hard, long poles to strike the branches or throwing sticks or heavy objects at the tree, as this can damage it and harm the future harvests in the coming years.
