In the South, the pecan is one of the most valuable dual-purpose trees. It gives us needed shade in summer and a rich harvest of tasty fruit in the fall.
Best Time To Plant
The best time to plant pecans in the South is from November to March when the trees are completely dormant. Small trees from 4′ to 6′ feet high (not counting the roots) are considered best for the home gardener.
Pecan trees have exceptionally long tap roots, and the holes for them should be both wide and deep so that the roots will not be bent or crowded. Plant the trees as deep as they were in the nursery.
No fertilizer of any kind should come in contact with the roots, but feeding should begin immediately after planting. Place a heavy mulch of manure on a circular area extending at least 3′ feet from the trunk.
Two pounds of high-grade commercial plant food may be used for the same area if manure is not available.
Heavy Feeder Pecans
Pecans are heavy feeders, and much plant food is necessary to ensure good production of fruit. Two pounds per year of age of the tree is suggested.
A tree 10 years old should receive about twenty pounds annually. In the case of lawn specimens, the trees may be fed along with the sod.
Give the grass in the area of estimated root spread an extra heavy feeding. In addition, place food in holes dug under the outer tips of the longest branches.
Many nurserymen prune their trees before shipping, but if unpruned trees are received, cut them back to about half their height to compensate for the loss of roots in digging.
Varieties of Pecans
There are many fine varieties of pecans in the South. DESIRABLE, LEWIS, MONEYMAKER, and STUART are among the best large-fruited kinds.
FARLEY, which has medium-sized fruit, is now widely grown.
Another once-popular is not currently being recommended due to its susceptibility to pecan scabs.
44659 by Ben Arthur Davis