Pie in the sky

Pecan trees take lots of space, patience and pampering before they bear nuts

 A pecan tree and leaves in Little Rock.
A pecan tree and leaves in Little Rock.

As fall rolls around and people start seeing pecans and walnuts for sale at markets and on the side of the road, planting a tree and growing nuts at home starts sounding like a good idea.

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A pecan lover gathers nuts once they have fallen to the ground.

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

Pecan scab attacks nuts and leaves and can ruin an entire crop of pecans. See related chart for information on resistant varieties.

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

Caterpillars and other pests, especially web-making worms contribute to the difficulty of growing viable pecans at home.

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Democrat-Gazette file photo

Many an amateur pecan grower has been robbed of his stash by clever squirrels.

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Information about recommended pecan varieties for Arkansas.

I tell home gardeners to consider a pecan tree a good shade tree. If it yields quality nuts -- and you get to them before the squirrels do -- that is a bonus. For those who still want to plant a pecan, there are some things to consider.

THEY'RE BIG!

Many gardeners don't realize how large a pecan tree is at maturity. They can grow to be 75 feet tall with a 40 foot spread. Now double that because to produce nuts there must be two different varieties for cross-pollination. Most pecan trees also need a spray program to keep the nuts disease- and insect-free, but not many home gardeners have the ability to spray a tree that large. Also be aware that they won't begin to bear fruit for 7 to 10 years.

Still want pecan trees for your yard? Here is what you need to know. When planting a pecan tree, choose the site carefully. Due to the large size of mature pecan trees, plant them at least 20 feet away from a house or driveway and 40 feet away from other trees to allow for good air flow, adequate sunlight and less competition for nutrients and water. Pecan trees also need full sun and well-drained soil. They cannot tolerate heavy clay soils or extremely rocky sites.

IT TAKES TWO

You need two varieties for cross-pollination, but not just any two. If your neighbors have pecan trees, find out what variety they have so you

can plant a complementary one. If a qualifying tree is within a quarter-mile of where you are planting, it can aid in pollinating your tree -- if they are in bloom at the same time. There are basically two types of pecan trees. The first type has male blooms that are done with shedding their pollen before the female flowers on that tree are receptive. The second type has female blooms needing pollen before the male flowers are ready to release their pollen. For pollination to occur you need to have both types of trees. (See related chart.)

MORE TROUBLE

You also want to consider disease resistance. The most devastating disease on pecans is scab. It attacks the leaves and the nuts, and in a bad year can destroy the entire crop. To reduce the number of sprays needed for control, it is best to choose a variety that is resistant to scab. The chart also shows which varieties deal with this devastating disease best.

GET TO PLANTING

Once you have chosen your varieties, prepare the site. Take a soil sample to your local county extension office, where experts can determine your soil's pH and nutrient levels. If you can find the varieties you want, fall planting is ideal. Be prepared to water even during the winter if it gets dry. Fall-planted trees start putting on roots while the tops are dormant. Don't add any fertilizer at planting time, but fertilize in late February to March and then again in June to early July.

Pay attention to water needs. Young trees need regular watering, but they can't tolerate "wet feet." Mulch around the base of the trees to keep weed and grass competition down and to prevent damage from string trimmers. Fertilization schedules stay the same with older trees; simply increase the rate of application.

ESTABLISH STRUCTURE

As with any tree, proper training and pruning is most important in the first 4 to 6 years of the tree's life. This is when the structure and shape of the tree are determined. Most pecan trees grow slowly the first year -- they are busy getting established and not expending much energy on top growth. Make sure the tree you buy has just one straight trunk with no major forks. In the second year you can begin to remove low side limbs and look for sharp angles or weak limbs. The sooner you correct a problem, the better. Many people wait several years and allow the tree to grow before pruning, but by then minor problems can become major. Continue encouraging a strong trunk with strong branches and crotch angles for the next few years.

KEEP AN EYE OUT

Once your trees come of age and begin to bear fruit, monitor for insects and diseases. When harvest season rolls around, the nuts are ready when they start to separate from the husks. You can knock the nuts from the tree with a rigid cane or PVC pole or allow them to fall naturally and pick them up from the ground. Placing a tarp under the tree helps with both methods. It is important to gather them quickly once they fall as they can be damaged by wet weather or pilfered by any number of animals.

You can eat them immediately or store them. Make sure they are dry before storing; the best place for long-term storage is in the freezer.

There are other nut crops that can be grown in Arkansas. Some disease resistant chestnut trees are available and productive. Black walnuts are large trees and produce very large seedpods, but they can be messy and the root system can impede growth of some landscape plants. While some gardeners have limited success with other nut crops, we rarely can produce any almonds or hazelnuts in Arkansas.

Janet B. Carson is a horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

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