Managing a pecan tree or a small orchard requires attention throughout the year, but not every task needs to be done with commercial precision. In home settings, success comes from understanding the seasonal rhythm of the tree, knowing what matters most at each stage and adjusting based on your region, weather and tree age.

This publication provides a practical, season-by-season guide to caring for pecan trees in Louisiana. It includes key tasks for both young and mature trees, tips for adjusting based on north or south Louisiana conditions and a flexible checklist to help you stay on track. Whether you’re planting your first tree or managing a legacy orchard, this publication will help you plan ahead, prioritize and respond to what your trees need most.

This publication will cover:

1. Understanding Louisiana’s Pecan Regions: Dividing the state into north and south Louisiana, how climate and disease pressure vary by region and why timing matters for orchard tasks.
2. Seasonal Overview of Orchard Activities: Key tasks by season (winter, spring, summer, fall), how tree age and cultivar affect timing and adjusting for weather and site conditions.
   • Winter (December to February): Dormant pruning and structural training, soil testing and lime applications, planning new plantings and sourcing grafted trees, and cleaning up fallen debris to reduce disease pressure.
   • Spring (March to May): Budbreak and early shoot growth; fertilizing young and mature trees; monitoring for phylloxera, aphids and early scab; irrigation setup and weed control.
   • Summer (June to August): Nut sizing and kernel fill; supplemental irrigation during dry spells; monitoring for stink bugs, aphids and mites; foliar nutrient sampling (mid-July); and managing alternate bearing and crop load.
   • Fall (September to November): Shuck split and nut drop, harvesting and drying pecans, evaluating tree performance and pest pressure, and planning for renovation or replacement.
   • Annual Checklist for Home Pecan Orchards: A season-by-season guide to help homeowners stay on track with orchard care.
3. Regional Timing Adjustments: Earlier budbreak and harvest in south Louisiana, later pruning and fertilization in north Louisiana, and adjusting spray windows and scouting schedules.
4. Annual Maintenance Checklist: Summary table of tasks by season and tree age, highlighting low-input priorities for homeowners, and notes on flexibility and weather-based adjustments.
5. What If I’m Behind? Reassurance that trees are forgiving and most tasks have flexible windows, common scenarios and how to catch up (e.g., missed fertilization, pruning, irrigation), prioritizing when short on time and using this year’s experience to improve next season.

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