White County
 Gardening
Podcast
February 11, 2008
Pecan Management - (Part 1 of 3) (3:26 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
Lots of folks have pecan trees, and with pecan trees come questions about
their care. Hello this is Sherri Sanders, County Extension Agent – Agriculture
with the White County Cooperative Extension Service. Hopefully, this information
will help answer a few questions you might have, as well as give you some other
items to consider.
Pollination
Pecan trees have both male and female parts, which mean that they mature at
different times. There are two types of pecan trees:
Type I - Male flowers give off pollen before female flowers are receptive.
Type II - Female flowers are receptive before male pollen is shed.
Therefore, when a tree has complete separation of male and female bloom, it
must be cross-pollinated by another tree. Some pecan varieties have incomplete
flowering capabilities and are referred to as self-pollinated. Self-pollination
is undesirable and will reduce nut quality.
In order to ensure quality pollination, every orchard should consist of at
least 80 percent of your predominate varieties out of either Type I or Type II,
and at least 20 percent of the total number of trees should be chosen from the
opposite type.
Note: Native trees can be planted with any named tree because native pecans
pollinate all types of trees, (they are 50 percent Type I and 50 percent Type
II). Remember this “Rule of Thumb” - 80 percent of predominant variety and 20
percent pollinators, for an orchard.
How to Grow
The soil needs to be sandy, well drained, fertile, and have good air
penetration. Pecan trees love water, but they don’t like standing water. Other
helpful hints are as follows:
If you buy bare root trees, plant them December - March (February,
preferably). For container grown trees, plant December - June. Always buy
quality trees that are 6-10 feet tall and use a reputable nursery source. You
probably want to heel trees in soil, unless planting immediately.
When planting the tree, sit tap root on a firm, permanent piece of soil. Pack
soil around the root to prevent air pockets.
Water the tree five gallons of water per tree per week for the first year.
Cut half of the tree off at planting (yes, you heard correctly - this allows
more energy and nutrients to go to the root system of the tree, rather than
supporting and maintaining limbs and leaves). Many people prefer to wrap the
lower trunk (18 inches) with foil, to protect from insects and freeze damage.
During the second year, make sure the tree receives 2 inches of water per
week from April through October (broadcast to drip line). Mature pecan trees
require 111 - 222 gallons of water per day!
Next time, I will continue this three part series on pecan
management with an in-depth discussion on fertilizer and zinc recommendations.
Also, we will be conducting a Pecan workshop in Prairie
County at the old Hazen Armory on February 26th from 9:00 a.m. till noon. This
meeting is open to the public and you are encouraged to contact the Prairie
county office at (870) 998-2614 for additional information and to pre-register
for the workshop.
This has been Sherri Sanders for the White County Cooperative
Extension Service in Searcy, Arkansas.
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