Overview

Before planting a pecan tree, it’s important to understand your site. Pecan trees are long-lived, slow to mature and highly sensitive to their environment, especially during the first 10 to 15 years. Decisions made now about soil, drainage, spacing and orientation will influence the tree’s health, productivity and ease of management for decades.

This publication will cover:

1. Evaluating Soil Texture and Structure: Covers ideal soil textures like loam and sandy loam, how to assess texture by feel and the importance of avoiding compaction. Includes guidance on subsoiling and deep ripping for orchard readiness.
2. Assessing Soil Depth, Drainage, and Understanding Water Table Limitations: Explains minimum soil depth requirements, how to identify hardpans and perched water tables, and strategies for improving drainage. Highlights risks of shallow rooting and how to evaluate or modify high water table sites.
3. Soil pH and Preplant Testing: Outlines the ideal pH range (6.5 to 7.0), how to collect and interpret soil tests, and when to apply lime and correct nutrients like phosphorus, potassium and zinc before planting.
4. Spacing and Strategic Location for Long-Term Success: Provides recommended spacings, benefits of wide spacing and tips for integrating trees into landscapes. Advises on avoiding poor locations and planning for airflow, wildlife and nut drop zones.
5. Quick Site Check: Are You Ready to Plant? Offers a checklist for evaluating soil, drainage, spacing and sunlight, plus action steps for marginal conditions.
6. Choosing and Planting Young Trees: Compares bare-root versus container-grown trees, best planting times, handling tips and proper planting depth with root flare visibility.
7. Managing Transplant Shock: Describes causes and symptoms of transplant stress and provides best practices for watering, pruning and mulching to reduce shock.
8. Irrigation During Establishment: Explains why water is critical in Years 1 to 5, with recommended methods like micro-sprinklers and drip systems. Includes watering volume and seasonal priorities like budbreak and kernel fill.
9. Fertility Management During Establishment: Covers when to begin fertilizing, nutrient priorities (N, P, K, Zn) and year-by-year guidelines during establishment.
10. Weed Management and Mulching: Emphasizes vegetation-free zones, recommended mulch types, herbicide safety and strategies for reducing weed pressure over time. Includes tips on living groundcovers and vine control as trees mature.

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