The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
Pecan trees are wonderful to have around. There is little more rewarding than harvesting nuts from your own yard. But there's more to growing a pecan tree than just letting nature take its course. Cut
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
Most people want to grow fruit trees in their gardens. Some people try to grow the fruit trees from the seed and some buy established…
To harvest your own tasty nuts, why not try cultivating pecan trees? Our guide will show you how to grow and care for them. Learn more on Gardener's Path.
Who: Tucker Pecan Company What: Southern Pecans Where: Montgomery, Alabama Got a pecan tree in your yard? Well, today you’re in luck: David Little, president of Tucker Pecan Company, is sharing a few gathering and shelling tips. In the fall, when the green outer hull enclosing each nut opens, the pecans are ready for harvest. At commercial pecan orchards, machines are used to shake them out of the trees.
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
Fertilizing pecan trees is a crucial aspect of their care, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and abundant nut production.
Everything about the pecan tree is supersize. Pecan trees grow wild in the U.S. and are cultivated for pecan nuts, and the wood with its beautiful grain.
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
Wondering how tall do pecan trees grow? Our guide answers all the questions you may have about pecan trees and their height.
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
Growing pecans from seed is not as simple as it sounds. Sowing pecan seeds is only one step in a complex process of growing a nut producing tree. Can you plant a pecan seed? Click here to find out and
There are more than 500 named pecan varieties, but just a handful are widely planted in the United States. For the homeowner or small scale commercial orchardist, the important differences between types of pecan trees for sale include: pollination type; timing of flowering; size of the nut; shell thickness; tendency to bear in alternate years; age at first bearing; season of nut maturation; and resistance to the fungal disease, pecan scab. Most Popular Pecan Varieties Hybrid American Chestnut Tree $ 79.99 Elliot Pecan Tree | Type 2 Pollinator $ 74.95 Amling Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $ 79.95 Oconee Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $ 29.99 McMillan Pecan Tree | Type 2 Pollinator $119.95 Gafford Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $119.95 Pecan Pollination: How Does it Work? Type 1 vs. Type 2 A pecan tree has both male flowers (pendant catkins), and female flowers (erect spikes), on the same tree. Type I (protandrous) pecans have male flowers that release their pollen before their female flowers are receptive to pollen shed. Type II (protogynous) pecans release their pollen after their female flowers were receptive. Pecan Flowering Time There is also variation in flowering time among varieties within each type. Both types must be present (within a few hundred feet) to get pollination and subsequent nut development, and the bloom periods must overlap. Experience has shown that three or more pecan varieties planted together provide the best pollination, and therefore the biggest nut crops. The suggested pollinators column in the table below takes into account both pollination type and bloom period. Pollination is done by the wind. Pecan variety nut comparisons Size of Pecan Nuts and Shell Thickness The nut size is measured by the number of nuts per pound. Large pecans have 55 or fewer nuts per pound; medium = 55-70 nuts/pound; and small = more than 70 nuts/pound. We can get an idea of pecan shell thickness (= ease of shelling) by comparing the weight of the kernel with the weight of the whole nut. The higher the percent kernel, the thinner the shell. Thin shells are easier to get the husk off. Pawnees are a great candidate for high percent kernel Alternate Bearing & Nut Maturity Pecan trees are notorious for alternate bearing. Some varieties are prone to bigger yields one year and smaller crops the next, while others tend to produce good crops every year. Bearing age is the early age at which nut production first begins. Normally, a grafted pecan cultivar, planted when about 4-6 feet tall, will start producing nuts in 6 or 7 years. More precocious varieties may start production in 4 or 5 years, and the least precocious, 8 to 10 years after planting. Seedlings and wild pecans (they occur naturally in the bottomlands of the Mississippi and other rivers westward into East Texas and Mexico) can take 12 to 15 years to begin production. Note that the most precocious varieties may start production as young trees but they often have an alternate bearing in later years. More information about this on our Pecan Grow Guide. Nut maturity is the relative time of year that the pecans become ripe. The actual calendar dates for early, mid-, and late season pecans vary with climate zone, of course. In much of USDA Zone 8, for example, early season pecans typically ripen from mid September through the end of September; mid-season cultivars from early October through mid October; and late season varieties after mid October. Pecan Diseases Pecan scab causes nut drop There are many diseases and pests that attack pecan trees and nuts. Disease and pest susceptibility vary year-to-year due to variations in weather, local conditions, the health of the trees, and, of course, the pecan variety. Therefore, the more different varieties you plant, the better are your chances of getting a successful crop every year. Pecan scab is among the worst of pecan diseases. It is most destructive where humidity is highest. If your planting site is surrounded by wetlands, avoid varieties with poor scab resistance. There are recommended varieties with disease resistance notated below. The table that follows provides important characteristics of several common papershell pecan tree varieties, most of which are offered by Perfect Plants Nursery. Pecan Tree Identification Chart Pecan Pollination Suggested Nuts/ % Alternate Bearing Nut Scab variety type pollinators pound kernel bearing age maturity resistance Amling I Sumner, Stuart, Elliott, Zinner 62 55 intermediate 4-5 mid excellent Caddo I Sumner, Stuart, Elliott, Kanza 67 54 no 5-6 mid fair Cape Fear I Sumner, Stuart, Elliott, Kanza 55 51 no 4-7 late good Creek I Elliott, Stuart 55 48 yes 4-5 late good Desirable I Sumner, Stuart, Elliott, Kanza 48 51 no 6-7 mid-late poor Mandan I Kanza, Forkert. Stuart, Zinner 49 57 no 5-8 early good Oconee I Cape Fear, Stuart 48 53 no 6-7 mid fair Pawnee I Forkert, Kiowa, Sumner, Stuart 56 60 intermediate 6-8 early poor Candy II Cape Fear, Creek, Desirable 70 45 yes 4-5 early good Curtis II Cape Fear, Creek, Desirable 89 53 intermediate 6-8 late excellent Elliott II Caddo, Desirable, Oconee, Pawnee 77 51 yes 7-10 mid excellent Forkert II Cape Fear, Elliott, Kanza, Sumner 53 58 intermediate 5-8 mid-late fair Kanza II Caddo, Desirable, Oconee, Pawnee 74 52 yes 7-8 early excellent Kiowa II Caddo, Desirable, Oconee, Pawnee 48 53 intermediate 5-6 late fair Stuart II Cape Fear, Desirable, Elliott 55 46 intermediate 8-10 mid fair Sumner II Cape Fear, Desirable, Oconee 56 49 intermediate 7-9 late good Zinner II Caddo, Creek, Cape Fear, Desirable 44 54 no 6-7 mid-late excellent Gafford I Cherryle, Lakota, McMillan, Zinner 56 50 yes 5-6 mid-late excellent McMillan II Desirable, Caddo, Creek, Pawnee 56 51 yes 5-6 mid-late good We hope this information was useful for you. Pecans are truly one of a kind and one of our favorites here on the nursery being in the South. Not only do they provide delicious nuts that are a health food, they are an attractive tree for any landscape. Happy Planting!! What kind of pecan trees are you growing? Let us know in the comments!
Do you love pecans? Do you want to grow your own pecan trees from scratch? Learn how to do it in this easy and fun guide. You will find out how to prepare, plant, care, graft, and harvest your pecan trees from seed. Plus, you will get some tips and tricks on how to overcome the common challenges and pitfalls of growing pecan trees from seed. Click here to read more.
You CAN grow your own pecan trees. All you need is some land and commitment, and a bit of passion. In this guide we'll explore everything you need to know about growing pecan trees at home. Let's dive in! Buy Pecan Trees Online Gafford Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $119.95 McMillan Pecan Tree | Type 2 Pollinator $119.95 Hybrid American Chestnut Tree $ 79.99 Elliot Pecan Tree | Type 2 Pollinator $74.95 Amling Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $ 79.95 Oconee Pecan Tree | Type 1 Pollinator $ 29.99 Pecan trees (carya illinoinensis) take 20 to 25 years to reach full maturity and get 60-100 feet tall, with a spread of 30-50 feet across. But don’t get discouraged yet: Pecan trees started from container grown stock (such as the ones Perfect Plants offers) will begin to produce nuts in as little as 4-8 years. Many people ask us how do pecans grow? This grow guide will teach you everything you need to know about growing pecans. Getting Started Select at least two different varieties since fruit set is improved by cross-pollination. Perfect Plants offers no fewer than fourteen differen varieties of pecan trees for sale. We recommend choosing at least one each of Type 1 and Type 2 varieties. Type 1 pecan trees shed pollen first and their flowers are receptive of pollen later in the growing season. Conversely, type 2 pecan trees are receptive to pollen first. Their pecan tree catkins shed pollen later in the season through the wind. Choose a planting spot with full sun and plenty of room. Pecan trees get very large and their root systems run deep and wide, at least twice as wide as the canopy. Space pecan trees 65-80 feet apart, and be careful to stay away from buildings and other trees that could be damaged by falling limbs. They can be planted in most areas of the southeastern United States. The soil at the planting site should be a well-drained soil with a rich sandy loam and at least 3-5 feet deep with a porous subsoil. Soil pH should be 6.0-7.0. They like neutral to slightly acidic soils. Pecan trees grown in such soils likely will not need any nutrient fertilizers except nitrogen and zinc. If in doubt, have the soil tested to determine what other nutrients you may need to add. If your soil is very dry or very sandy, you will have to irrigate more often. Zinc deficiency is common in some trees. Pecan tree growth rate is very fast. Some trees can gain up to 3-5 feet per year. Choose a site where your tree will be able to stay for many years to come. Planting Pecan Trees Plant pecan trees when they are dormant, in late winter or early spring. Thoroughly water the little pecan tree in its container before starting. Remove the tree from the container and straighten out the taproot if necessary. Spread out the other roots, trimming if needed. Dig a hole as deep as the taproot and wide enough to accommodate the other roots spread out. Do not add fertilizer or soil amendments. Place the tree in the hole without damaging the fragile taproot, and spread out the side roots. Next, fill the hole 3/4 deep with water. Backfill soil as the water is running until the hole is full. (The water helps to prevent air pockets around the roots.) Be sure to keep the tree at the same depth it was in the container. Don’t pack the soil too hard. Spread a layer of organic mulch over the root zone to help hold moisture in and keep the weeds away. Cut off about 1/3 of the top of the tree to encourage the tree to spend more of its energy growing roots, instead of keeping the top alive. The little tree will need protection from sun scald and nibbling rodents. Paint the trunk with a white latex paint or use a sleeve-like growing tube for the first three years. How Many Pecan Trees Should You Plant Per Acre? Pecan trees get very large – more than 80 feet tall, with a spread of 50 feet wide or more. They are not suitable for the small backyard. But, if you have the room, a pecan tree is well worth having, and a welcome legacy for those who come behind you. We recommend starting your trees about 30-40 feet apart to maximize early production, and then then to 60-80 feet as they get bigger. For optimum production, pecan tree limbs should not overlap or cross. Commercial growers have a rule of thumb: They want to see sunlight at midday in the summer covering 25% of the ground under the trees. Related: Comparison of Different Types of Pecan Tree Varieties Pecan Tree Care Did we say growing pecan trees requires commitment? Keeping up with the maintenance and care for pecan trees ensures that your tree will thrive and be healthy for many years to come. Properly fertilized and pruned trees will exhibit the best nut production and will live to be huge, beautiful nut trees. How to Fertilize Pecan Trees Large trees should be treated with an NZn or zinc sulfate foliar spray every 2-4 weeks starting at bud break in March until June. (Applying fertilizer can get difficult as the tree gets taller.) If the newly planted tree is growing well by midsummer, apply a half pound of ammonium nitrogen based fertilizer about a foot from the trunk. If it hasn’t grown at least a foot taller, don’t fertilize until the second year. Beginning in the second year and continuing for 15 years, apply a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer each month from March through June. See notes below for rates of various fertilizers. After 15 years, fertilize only in March and again in May. Broadcast the pecan tree fertilizer evenly out to the drip line and a little beyond, but do not place it within 10 inches of the trunk diameter. Alternatively, use one of the commercial pecan fertilizers that combine zinc and nitrogen, according to label directions. Your young pecan tree will need about an inch of rain or 15-25 gallons of water, per week. Mature pecan trees need 1-2 inches of rain per week, especially during the heat of summer. If rainfall is insufficient, you will have to irrigate, preferably with a drip system. See sidebar for rates of supplemental watering. Pruning Pecan Trees Pecan trees should be trained to a central leader with surrounding branches (the scaffold branches) spiraling outward and upward. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the trees are dormant and before the active growing season. Start training as young trees. Avoid summer pruning as this is when pecan nuts are being formed. The pruning site should be clean-cut to stay free of insects and diseases such as pecan phylloxera. Here are some tips for training your tree. Retain side branches that come off the central leader at an angle of around 45 degrees, and remove those that come off more horizontally outward or more sharply upward. The scaffold branches should be tip-pruned to encourage branching. Eventually, the lowest scaffold branches should be 6-8 feet above ground, and evenly spaced around the tree. This may take 5-10 years of annual pruning. Pecan trees tend to exhibit alternate bearing. This means they will produce a heavy crop of pecan nuts one year and one of less pecan production the next. This is one of the many challenges for pecan growers. Annual fertilization and pruning will help to alleviate this problem. Bareroot Pecans Pecan trees are most commonly planted as bare-root transplants. This means that they are dug from the ground while they are dormant and have had the soil shaken off to expose the root. Bare-root trees should be transplanted between December and March while dormant which helps with transplant shock and less transpiration (water loss) immediately after planting. Related: What Is Pecan Phylloxera Bare-root pecan trees have long taproots and require a deep planting hole. In most situations, the hole should be at least three feet deep and 12 to 24 inches wide so that all side roots can be properly positioned as the hole is refilled. It is best to plant them as soon as possible. Allow your tree’s roots to soak in water for 1-2 hours before planting. Spread out the roots to encourage outward growth. Refill the hole with native soil (what was removed at the time of digging). Gently release any air pockets. The last step is to thoroughly water. Harvesting Your Pecans Nut production will begin after 4 years if it is a grafted pecan tree. Allow the nuts to fall to the ground or you can use a mechanical picker to pull them from the In early September, start looking for pecan nuts on the ground under your pecan trees. It will be helpful if the grass has been mowed beneath the trees to make it easier to see the nuts.Sound pecan nuts should be a pale brown with intact shells; if the brown husk hasn’t already detached from the nut. If it doesn’t crack open easily, or if the husk is green, the nut inside is probably not mature. If the husk is black, the nut is most likely rotten.Once your trees have started dropping nuts, you can speed up the harvest by shaking the tree and whacking them with long poles. If you’re picking up pecans by hand, they will be easier to see and pick up if you spread a sheet or tarp out underneath the tree. Pecan Picker Uppers A pecan picker-upper or a mechanical harvester can make it even easier and saves time. One type of pecan picker is comprised of a funnel shaped wire spring on the end of a four foot handle and when you press down on a nut, it spreads open, allowing the nut to slip between the wires and into the contraption.Mechanical harvesters include hand operated models that are pushed over the ground like an old fashioned reel lawn mower. The big commercial orchards use tractor powered mechanical tree shakers and pull-behind pecan harvesters that look like hay rakes. Pecan nuts will drop continuously for a couple weeks or more, so check frequently in order to make sure the squirrels and deer don’t get to them first. Storing Pecans Once the nuts are dried you can store them in their shells for several months in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Shelled pecans (the kernels) can be stored in air tight containers or zip lock bags for up to six months in the fridge, and two or more years in the freezer. They have a longer shelf life in the refrigerator or freezer if stored properly. The air tight container is important so the shell nuts do not absorb odors or moisture content. Good luck with your new pecan trees! And remember, the County Cooperative Extension office is your friend!
Follow these tips for a healthy, productive tree Pecan trees flourish with annual pruning that should begin as soon as the tree is planted. If left unattended, they will grow into large, unsightly bushes. Pruning encourages both upward and...
Browse our selection of grafted Pecan trees for sale: Amling, Caddo, Cape, and more pecan variations. Pick pecans from your own yard. Shop now!
The grafting season in SE Kansas is in full swing. These mild, cloudy days we've had lately have been perfect for field grafting. I ha...
For a reliable supply of pecans for delicious pecan pie, grow your own pecan tree at home. This can be done with pecan nuts, which are actually the seeds of the tree.
To harvest your own tasty nuts, why not try cultivating pecan trees? Our guide will show you how to grow and care for them. Learn more on Gardener's Path.
Wood slices are great for crafting, but purchasing them from your local hobby store can get pricey. If you are comfortable using a bandsaw or miter saw and you have access to fallen tree branches, you can cut your own wood slices at home....
Happy September today I am sharing 9 easy fall garlands and these are beautiful. Before I share these ideas with you I’m sharing how to make a walnut garland. Y…
Rustic wood meets modern metal to create this striking—and timeless—piece of furniture. Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor show how to make a live-edge console table of your own
Reap rewards from your investment of time and money by planting a tree correctly. Avoid these costly mistakes—all of which will impede, if not kill, a tree.
I was left with a 15' tall, 44" thick stump when a year after a bad drought my 175' 136 yr old Burr Oak died. I asked the fellow cutting it down for me to leav…
Homeowners and gardeners often spend lots of money removing tree stumps, but there is a better way! With a bit of diligent wood-working, homeowners around the world have turned tree stumps and logs found in their own yards into beautiful tree stump planters full of blooming flowers!
Live edge Slab #22. The slab you SEE is the EXACT one you'll receive. You'll notice it's darker in some pictures than others. That's because I've pictured it both in it's Current state (totally UNFINISHED) and also what it looks like when it's spritzed with water. This is just to give you an idea of what the grain will look like should you choose to put a finish on it. This is a live edge Pecan round (slab) out of an OLD (large) pecan tree. It is approx. 18" wide across the widest part (at the bottom) & about 15 1/4" wide across at the tapered in part about 1/3 down from the top. It is 16 3/4" wide measureing straight up and down at the center (as you see it pictured standing). It is 3" Thick. It weighs FIFTEEN pounds. A very unusual formation in that the tree was hollow in the center but continued to live and the bark actually healed over & grew AROUND the inside of the hollow area. Just a beautiful piece. Great for many different types of projects (wood burning, carving, painting, etc). Some people make table tops out of them (although I have NOT planed it). It's pretty flat, however it has NOT been perfectly planed. Others make signs. I've seen people cut a straight line off the back (so that it sits straight and flat against the wall) and make floating end tables out of them. And of course some are using them for guests to sign at weddings! WE have slightly sanded both sides but have otherwise not finished this in any way. It has not been planed and we have not added any dyes, stains, sealers, etc. It HAS been fully air dried in our warehouse for a good 2 YEARS. It would make a good project piece for many different applications.
Having animals without trees means you have only half an ecosystem. Trees provide shelter, food, and medicine, capture and recycle waste, and provide habitat for beneficial companions. These are trees your stock can benefit from. Words: Sheryn Dean Cows like ryegrass and it makes them fat. I like chocolate and it makes me fat. But I couldn’t live on chocolate all day, every day. I guess I would get sick of the taste, and my body needs a wider range of nutrients. So does a cow. Fodder trees can provide a range of healthy additives to an animal’s diet and
Offer genuine southern hospitality with traditional rich nutty bars.
Happy September today I am sharing 9 easy fall garlands and these are beautiful. Before I share these ideas with you I’m sharing how to make a walnut garland. Y…
Here, we've come up with 25 tree stump ideas to transform the fallen trees in your yard into something spectacular and eye-catching!
A balanced fertilizer (plant food) will help maximize the yield as well as increase growth potential of fruits and vegetables. Properly fertilized fruit and vegetables will provide greater nutritional value than those grown without. This fertilizer is a special combination of plant nutrients beneficial to tree growth and productivity, plus a generous supply of zinc to control rosette in pecan trees. Feed trees twice a year at recommended rates listed on label around the drip line and water thoroughly.
If you want to know how to dry wood without cracking, one of the three methods described in this article will do a great job.
Black walnut tree toxicity is a common cause of wilting and death of vegetable plants. Here's what happens and what you can do about it.
Storing nuts: to extend the shelf life of most nut varieties keep them cool. Find out how long different kinds will last in the pantry, fridge and freezer.
