Growing Pecan Trees like a Pro

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It’s difficult to live in the state without owning or enjoying the Texas pecan tree. A staple of beauty and culture, these are the best trees for Central Texas, reaching up to 60 and 80 feet tall at maturity, with wide, expansive branches. Better yet, they offer a plethora of pecans yearly! But while appreciating them is easy, growing pecan trees takes true knowledge. If you’re attempting to care for them on your own, you might want to consider what a professional can do for you. Here’s just a glimpse of what you’re getting into.

How and Where to Plant Pecan Trees

First things first—the process of planting on transplanting. Whether it’s young or mature, your pecan tree must be planted in the right location for it to thrive. They’re the best trees Central Texas because of the availability of rich, deep soil, excellent drainage and room to grow. The Texas pecan tree has a root system that can extend underground, so there should be no “competitive” plants in the area or pipes taking up the space. Also, without adequate drainage, pecan trees run the risk of limited transportation of minerals. rot diseases and root death.

Pro Tip: For more abundant harvests, consider joining together two varieties of pecan trees for planting. Having the right amount of space between them nurtures successful cross pollination. Work with a professional, and your harvest potential grows even larger!

Care and Maintenance of the Texas Pecan Tree

Pruning is one of the most important requirements for growing pecan trees. The young trees need a strong scaffold structure and a solid strong leader branch—again, something a tree professional can easily help you identify. When it comes to mature pecan trees, the removal of broken, diseased or dead branches is the main concern.

Pro Tip: Once you’ve nailed down where to plant pecan trees, using the right fertilizer will help properly nourish them thereafter. If your tree lacks an abundance of zinc, lime and nitrogen, your harvest is doomed. Avoid fertilizing after July, so they don’t freeze during the winter.

Harvesting Growing Pecan Trees

The best benefit of having pecan trees, is enjoying the fruit of their labor! September sets the stage for the yearly harvest of pecans, as their husks have reached full size by summer’s end. You’ll notice that pecans will start falling from the trees as the husks split, so be sure there’s enough space cleared around it to gather your rewards. But collect them quickly, because they’re susceptible to rotting once they’ve fallen. Remember that not all the pecans will fall, and it can be quite a task to encourage the process. Try gently shaking the limbs and using tools like a rolling pecan picker or simple rake.

Pro Tip: Sorting is an important step of the harvest. If your pecans feel hollow or aren’t uniform in color, it’s probably worth tossing them. Once sorted, store them in a breathable container in a cool, dry area for a few weeks before eating, so they’re easier to shell.

Enjoy!

Pecans are the best trees for Central Texas due to their food, beauty and the wonderful shady spaces they create. But taking proper care of them is essential to helping them grow to their potential. Give your Texas pecan tree its best chance by hiring a professional tree company to help with the care and maintenance, and you’ll enjoy it for years to come!