Trees - Pecans
It grows as a native in most areas of the state. It not only produces a beautiful tree but the nuts are highly desirable for cooking and eating fresh. MatureT trees frequently reach a height of 100 ft. The disadvantage of pecan is they require care in the form of foliar sprays of fungicides insecticides and zinc to be successful either as a landscape tree.
The pecan is susceptible to several foliage and nut diseases. Varieties planted in the landscape, should be disease resistant and productive. Even with resistant varieties, there will be a need to spray the trees 2-4 times a year to control the insects. supply zinc and control diseases.
Foliage diseases: Pecan scab, downy spot, fungal leaf scorch and powdery mildew. Major insects: aphids, pecan phylloxera, case bearer, shuck worm and pecan weevil.
Pecans are also susceptible to cotton root rot .
LET’S TALK PECANS
by Claude A. Pawelek.
December, January and February are the best months to plant bare root pecan trees. Probably the most important thing to do is to select the proper soil in which to plant your new trees. The soil should be well drained. How do you tell? Dig a hole 32 inches deep and 8 inches in diameter. A post hole digger will be about right. Fill the hole with water. If the hole is empty in one hour, you have excellent internal drainage. If the hole is drained in 48 hours, the drainage is still adequate. If after 48 hours the hole still has water in it, forget planting the pecan Your odds of having a healthy, productive tree are very slim.
You can buy either a container grown tree or a bare rooted tree from your nurseryman. The container grown one is more expensive but it can be planted any time of the year without much transplant shock. On the other hand a bare rooted plant can only be planted in the dormant season. Make sure the roots are clean of breaks and bruises. Cut any broken roots off. Also spread the roots out in the hole. If you screw them in the hole to get them to fit, they will continue to grow in a circle thus leading t a weak root system. After planting, water in well. Get all the air spaces out of the loose dirt. Now the hard part—DON’T FERTILIZE FOR THE FIRST YEAR. I know—you wanted a pecan tree—not a pecan bush. I didn’t say growing a pecan tree was a fast endeavor. Let it alone no matter what it looks like. It needs those leaves and branches the first five year to manufacture sugar for growth. THEN prune to your hearts delight.