PECANS A Growing Guide from Toll free (855) 81 PLANT Office (850) 270 0511 www.plantme Green.com We Sell Clean Air Machines!
HOW TO PLANT AND CARE FOR YOUNG PECAN TREES 1) Pecan trees can be transplanted anytime during the dormant season, but mid December through February is preferred. 2) Select a planting site with good drainage that is not too sandy. Consider an area where water is easily accessible, as sufficient water is essential to the viability of the tree. 3) Dig a hole at least 18 inches wide at the bottom and 2 ½ to 3 feet deep. 4) Soak roots in water for 24 hours and just prior to planting. Examine the roots and remove all injured or broken roots. Occasionally the tap root and/or some of the lateral roots will need to be pruned to fit the hole. Never twist the roots in the hole, as this would eventually cause death to that part of the root system. 5) Plant the tree slightly deeper than it grew in the nursery (soil line) but not too deep. Fill the hole about 1/3 full of the top soil and saturate the soil with water to settle and eliminate air pockets. Repeat process adding lime as hole is filled with top soil. Add approximately 4 pounds per tree. 6) Construct a ring of soil around tree about 3 to 5 feet in diameter and 6 to 8 inches deep. This provides a basin for watering. 7) The existing roots of the newly transplanted tree provide anchorage and serve as a source of new feeder roots, but are of little value in moisture and nutrient absorption. New roots are necessary for this function and they develop from the older roots. For this reason it is essential to water the trees in 10 day intervals during the first growing season so that these new roots may establish themselves. 8) As soon as the trees are set, remove 1/4 to 1/3 of the top (Diagram #1). Make the cut just above a healthy bud. This top section is removed to balance the top with the roots. 9) Cut out narrow crotches early to prevent serious splitting when the tree comes into heavy production. Try to space the lateral limbs equally around the trunk of the tree and have each limb at least 8 inches above another (Diagram #2). Select three to five branches for the permanent scaffold system. The lowest of these branches should be no less than 6 feet above the ground. 10) The ph range for pecan trees should be from 5.6 to 6.5. To determine the ph, have the soil tested through your local country Extension Agent, and he or she in turn will suggest the dolomitic limestone to apply, if any is needed. 11) Newly transplanted trees should NOT be fertilized at the time of planting, but should receive 2 to 3 pounds of 8 8 8 or 10 10 10 fertilizer containing at least two units of zinc per tree in May the year they are transplanted. Then each succeeding year until the tree begins production, apply 4 pounds of 16 8 8 or 20 10 10 fertilizer plus zinc for each inch of trunk diameter measured one foot above the soil surface. Apply in late February or early March. 12) Strive for average terminal growth of about 3 feet after the first year. If the growth is shorter than this, apply additional nitrogen at the rate of ½ to 1 pound of ammonium nitrate or an equivalent amount of nitrogen from another source of quickly available nitrogen.
WHERE TO PLANT The most important factors to consider in choosing a site for planting pecan trees are: soil type, depth, and drainage. Soils for planting pecan trees may be red, brown, or gray in color, but it is necessary they contain sand or sandy loam and that the sub soil be of clay or semi clay structure. It is most important that the soil should have good water holding capacity. For proper root penetration, it should be several feet deep. In selecting a planting site, keep in mind the desirable soil characteristics described above. Avoid badly eroded hills. If not eroded, hilltops and north, east, south, or west slopes are satisfactory. In most cases, even bottom land along streams has proved a good location if well drained. The greater movement of the air often causes faster drying of morning dews and rains; this helps prevent spread of certain pecan tree diseases. PLANTING GUIDE Planting Distance in Feet Number Tree Per Acre 20x20 108 20x25 90 20x30 72 25x25 70 20x40 54 30x30 48 30x35 41 30x40 36 35x35 35 40x40 27 40x50 22 40x60 18 50x50 17 50x60 15
VARIETIES CANDY An excellent new variety developed by the Louisiana Experiment Station. It yields a medium size nut with a moderately thin shell. It is well filled with an attractive kernel that has very good flavor. This variety is a relatively heavy and very consistent bearer. CAPE FEAR This variety was first introduced by the North Carolina Agriculture Experiment Station. The nut resembles Stuart in size and shape, but is superior in cracking quality. Its yield averages 52 62 nuts per pound, with a full kernel of wonderful flavor. This variety is especially recommended to pollinate Wichita. CHEYENNE This very productive tree yields a medium soft shelled nut that is well adapted to shelling by commercial machinery. It has an excellent flavor, well suited for cooking. This pecan ripens in late fall. The tree is a true genetic dwarf. CHICKASAW This vigorous growing tree is the most disease resistant pecan we know. It is a prolific producer, yielding 55 75 nuts per pound. The nuts mature in late September or early October and bear heavily if cross pollinated with another variety.
CHOCTAW An outstanding tree that comes into production early, bears heavily, and acts as a good shade tree. The result of a Success and Mahan cross, it yields an unusually thin shell and a kernel that has a high oil content and very rich flavor. For a larger yield, cross pollinate with another pecan variety. Choctaw ripens in late fall. CURTIS This pecan is recommended for Florida and other coastal areas. Size medium. 60 75 nuts per pound. Form ovate, conical, compressed. Shell very thin, kernel very plump and thick, color bright. Texture firm and crisp. Flavor sweet and rich. More disease resistant than any variety known to us. DESIRABLE A regular and heavy producer of large, round, fat pecans with excellent flavor. The nuts are well shaped and abundantly filled. This well branched tree is valued for home as well as commercial plantings. Desirable ripens in late fall. ELLIOTT This thin shelled pecan is especially good for cracking purposes. The kernel is plump, smooth, and straw colored. Its flavor is excellent and the quality outstanding. The tree is resistant to scab and quite prolific.
FORKERT An excellent flavored pecan. The nut is large and slender and a very thin shell. A prolific bearer at an early age. Moderate scab resistance. Ripens in late Fall. 39 40 nuts per pound with 57 60% crack out. GLORIA GRANDE This is a South Carolina introduction and very disease resistant. Comes into bearing in seven to eight years. Has thin shell. Very prolific. Approximately 45 50 nuts per pound. 50% shelling percentage. HASTINGS (Pat. No. 1399) A large nut with an attractive kernel of the highest quality and flavor similar to Stuart. A true papershell that has a shell no thicker than a fingernail. It produces a high percentage of meat that is mostly in unbroken halves. It also makes a beautifully shaped tree, ideal for lawn planting. JACKSON From Southern Mississippi, an outstanding pecan in both size and meat. Appearance with approximately 30 nuts per pound. Very disease resistant. Consistent bearer. KERNODLE (Pat. No. 1744) Considered to be our best patented variety. Some government experiment stations tell us this variety is out performing all others. It produces a large nut that is lighter in color than most varieties. Its flavor is much like a Persian Walnut and its thin shell cracks easily.
KIOWA This is a recent pecan variety released by the USDA. The large nuts which yield 40 to 50 per pound resemble Desirable except they have a thinner shell. The tree is vigorous and slightly susceptible to scab. Its shell markings and large size make Kiowa attractive for "in shell" trade. MAHAN This prolific, early bearing tree was first introduced in 1927. Its nut is very large and has a thin shell. The kernel has a rich flavor. This pecan makes a good shade tree and does well in warm winter areas. It ripens in late fall. MAHAN STUART (Pat. No. 1532) This large pecan takes only 26 nuts to make a pound. As its name indicates, it is a cross between two excellent varieties, maintaining the best characteristics of each. Mahan gives its size, and Stuart fills it out and gives it disease resistance, excellent shape and appearance. MELROSE A new variety from Louisiana which shows promise. The tree has an upright growth habit with strong branching. The nuts are medium large (54 nuts per pound) with a shellout of 55%. Exhibits a high degree of resistance to scab and shuck disease. Ripens in mid October.
MOHAWK At an early age, this attractive specimen makes an excellent tree as well as a prolific bearer. It yields a large, soft shelled nut and a kernel that shells out easily. Mohawk is self pollinating and ripens in mid fall. OWENS This pecan tree originates in the northern Mississippi delta. Bears every year and is very disease resistant. Meat is bright and very tasty. Approximately 35 40 nuts per pound. PAWNEE A new release from the USDA that has a high yield potential of high quality nuts. Nut maturity is one to two weeks earlier than Mohawk. Nut quality is excellent. Kernel percentage is higher than most. Kernel color is very good. It is uniquely suited for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday market. SCHLEY A medium size nut that produces 45 60 nuts per pound. Its form is oblong with a conical apex. The shell is very thin and cracks very easily. Its kernel is long, fine textured with a delicate, sweet and rich flavor. SHOSHONI Another release of the USDA. The nuts are medium to large with 55 to 60 nuts per pound. This tree is highly precocious and very prolific. Its foliage is resistant to disease. The nuts mature in early to mid October.
STUART The best all around pecan, producing large nuts averaging about 40 50 nuts per pound. Its shell is moderately thin and fragile, thus cracking easily. The kernel is plump, firm textured with a rich delicate flavor. Stuart is a good pollinator and ripens in late fall. SUMNER This is an excellent pecan for both home and orchard. It is noted for its resistance to disease and high quality yields on nuts. The pecans mature in late fall and bear heaviest if cross pollinated with another variety. WESTERN SCHLEY A pecan which is a prolific producer of elongated, thin shelled nuts. The plump kernel has a fine rich flavor. This tree is widely adaptable, especially to dry areas and high altitudes. It bears early and should be planted with another variety for cross pollination. WICHITA A vigorous tree recommended for drier locations. It is an early and heavy bearer. The moderately long nut is well filled with a high quality kernel that ripens in the late fall. Wichita will cross pollinate well with Western Schley.
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF PECAN VARIETIES Variety Amount of Kernel Percent Average Number of Nuts per pound Candy 53 63 Cape Fear 56 54 Cheyenne 59 61 Chickasaw 55 84 Choctaw 60 47 Curtis 56 69 Desirable 54 44 Elliott 53 72 Forkert 60 39 Gloria Grande 48 50 Hastings 41 53 Jackson 60 32 Kernodle 59 44 Kiowa 56 45 Mahan 53 32 Mahan Stuart 57 44 Melrose 55 54 Mohawk 59 39 Owens 46 40 Pawnee 57 54 Schley 57 50 Shoshoni 53 53 Stuart 48 47 Sumner 50 62 Western Schley 57 65 Wichita 60 58
HARVEST DATES* *These dates were established from information compiled in Northern Florida. For your areas, allow for differences in your climate region, plus annual seasonal variations. POLLINATION The male flower and female flower of the pecan tree are separate, but are on the same tree. The male flowers, commonly known as catkins, are produced from lateral buds on the previous season's growth. These buds are formed late the previous season. The female flower has flared terminal ends and is produced at the end of current season's growth. These are called stigmas. The flared ends are the portions of the female flower on which the pollen falls. Pecans are pollinated by wind only. The mature catkins release the pollen. Pollination occurs when the pollen reaches the stigma, and it is viable and the stigma is receptive. If the catkins mature before or after the stigma is receptive, pollination does not occur.
To insure greater pollination, compatible varieties need to be selected. For proper compatibility, it is necessary there are overlapping days when one tree is shedding its pollen and on another tree the stigma is receptive to receiving the pollen. The following chart reflects by variety when each tree is receptive and when each tree is shedding pollen. Select those varieties which offer the greatest number of days of overlap. It should be noted that these figures are taken from various areas of the country. Thus, the chart is an interpolation of scatter statistics and is intended as a guide only, showing the relative compatibility of the varieties. Weather factors will also disrupt the pollination process. In periods of heavy rain, the pollen will not be wind borne and pollination will be poor. POLLINATION COMPATIBILITY CHART *These dates were interpolated from the information compiled at various geographical areas. For your area, allow climatic zones to influence actual dates of pollination activity and yearly climatic changes. Protandrous (1) Pollen sheds prior to stigma receptivity Protogonous (2) Stigma receptive prior to pollen shedding STIGMA RECEPTIVE POLLEN SHEDDING