How to Grow Pecans

Introduction to Pecans

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are native to North America and produce some of the most delicious and valuable nuts. While they're often associated with the South, many varieties can be grown in Zone 6 or even Zone 5 with proper variety selection.

Climate Considerations

• Traditional Range: Zones 6-9
• Northern Varieties: Some to Zone 5
• Heat Requirements: 180-210 frost-free days for most varieties
• Critical Factor: Long, warm growing season needed for nuts to fill

Variety Selection by Climate

Northern Varieties (Zones 5-6):

• Pawnee: Early ripening, consistent producer, medium-sized nuts
• Major: Very cold hardy, productive, smaller nuts
• Kanza: Good cold hardiness, excellent flavor
• Hark: Northern developed, good quality

Central/Southern Varieties (Zones 7-9):

• Desirable: Large nuts, excellent quality, industry standard
• Stuart: Reliable, disease resistant, medium nuts
• Elliot: Scab resistant, small but flavorful nuts
• Sumner: Scab resistant, large nuts

Site Selection

• Space: Mature trees can reach 60-100 ft tall with 60-75 ft spread—plan accordingly!
• Sunlight: Full sun essential
• Soil: Deep, well-draining soil. Pecans have deep taproots.
• pH: 6.0-7.0
• Water Table: Deep—pecans don't tolerate high water tables
• Avoid: Shallow soils, heavy clay, poorly drained areas

Pollination

Pecans are wind-pollinated with a unique challenge—Type I and Type II flowering.

Flower Types:

• Type I (Protandrous): Shed pollen before female flowers are receptive
• Type II (Protogynous): Female flowers receptive before pollen sheds

For Best Pollination:

• Plant at least one Type I and one Type II variety
• Trees should be within 150 feet

Examples:

• Type I: Desirable, Pawnee, Stuart, Cape Fear
• Type II: Elliott, Kanza, Caddo, Sumner

Planting

Timing:

• Late winter to early spring (while dormant)
• Before bud break

Method:

1. Dig hole deep enough to accommodate taproot without bending (often 2-3 feet deep)
2. Dig hole 2x wider than root spread
3. Do not amend soil—backfill with native soil
4. Plant at same depth as nursery
5. Water deeply and slowly
6. Mulch 4-6 inches, keeping away from trunk
7. Stake in windy areas
8. Protect from deer and rodents

Training and Pruning

Training Young Trees:

• Central leader system
• First winter: Head back to single trunk at 5-6 feet
• Select scaffold branches with wide angles (45-60 degrees)
• Space scaffolds 6-10 inches apart vertically
• Remove competing leaders

Mature Tree Pruning:

• Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches
• Thin crown if needed for light penetration
• Raise canopy as tree grows
• Minimal pruning once structure is established

Fertilizing

Young Trees:

• Year 1: 1 lb 10-10-10 in March and June
• Year 2-4: Increase by 1 lb each year
• Apply in a ring around drip line

Bearing Trees:

• March: Balanced fertilizer based on leaf analysis
• Zinc: Critical nutrient for pecans—apply zinc sulfate or chelated zinc
• Nitrogen: Based on leaf tissue analysis

Watering

• Young Trees: 1-2 inches per week
• Bearing Trees: 1-2 inches per week during nut development (July-October)
• Critical Period: Water stress during kernel fill reduces yield and quality
• Mature Trees: May need 100+ gallons per week during hot, dry periods

Pest and Disease Management

Major Diseases:

• Pecan Scab: Most serious disease. Plant resistant varieties. Fungicides in humid climates.
• Bacterial Leaf Scorch: No cure. Plant resistant varieties.

Major Pests:

• Pecan Weevil: Larvae feed in nuts. Shake trees and collect/destroy weevils.
• Aphids: Cause sooty mold. Usually controlled by natural predators.
• Hickory Shuckworm: Tunnels in shucks. Properly timed insecticides.
• Squirrels/Crows: Significant nut predators. Trapping, exclusion, or harvesting promptly.

Harvesting

Timing:

• October-November in most areas
• Ready when shucks split and nuts release

Methods:

• Commercial: Mechanical shakers and harvesters
• Home: Wait for nuts to fall, collect frequently
• Speed Harvest: Shake branches with pole or by hand

Post-Harvest:

1. Remove shucks promptly
2. Dry nuts in single layer for 2-3 weeks
3. Test: Shell splits cleanly and kernel is not rubbery
4. Store in-shell in cool, dry location
5. Freeze shelled pecans for long-term storage

Timeline to Production

• First Nuts: 6-10 years from grafted trees
• Commercial Production: 12-15 years
• Peak Production: 20-75 years
• Lifespan: 200+ years possible

Yield Expectations

• Young Trees: 25-100 lbs per tree
• Mature Trees: 100-300+ lbs per tree in good years
• Note: Pecans tend to alternate bear—heavy crop one year, lighter the next