Planting pecan trees can be a rewarding long-term investment for your property. While pecans are slow to mature, taking 5 to 10 years to start producing, they yield bountiful crops once they hit their stride. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plant the seeds of success and cultivate a thriving pecan orchard from the ground up.

Selecting the Right Pecan Cultivars

Choosing the right pecan cultivar is crucial for success. Look for varieties that are disease-resistant and require minimal maintenance. Some top recommendations include:

• Elliot: Known for its great flavor and scab resistance, Elliot has long been the gold standard in Louisiana pecan production. It may defoliate early and alternate bear heavily in South Louisiana, but it remains productive.
• Amling: Very disease resistant Type 1 Pollinator. It can pollinate Elliot and many other Type II pecans. Amling is a very healthy and vigorous tree that is perfect for residential settings.
• Gafford: Selected for low-input settings and has shown promise and productivity in our climate. While it has some overlapping pollination potential with Elliot, it’s not a perfect fit.
• Kanza: Similar to Elliot but with better cold tolerance and an earlier harvest date. Kanza also begins production a few years earlier than Elliot.
• Lakota: A precocious cultivar that produces pecans earlier, ideal for those who want quicker yields.
• McMillan: Selected for low-input settings and has shown promise in our climate. It has good scab tolerance and tends to bear a bit heavier than Gafford.
• Syrup Mill: An excellent pollinator with good scab resistance that has beautiful golden kernels that shell out easily. It can pollinate Elliot and many other Type II pecans. Syrup Mill performs better in North Louisiana than in South Louisiana.
• Woodman: a new, vigorous cultivar with great scab resistance from South Louisiana that is productive in low-input settings. It produces well every year, even with minimal input.

Ensure you have compatible pollinators for your main cultivars. For example, Amling, Woodman and Syrup Mill can be good pollinators for Elliot and Kanza. By selecting the right cultivars and ensuring proper pollination, you can set your pecan orchard up for long-term success.

Site Preparation

Before planting, conduct a soil test to understand your soil’s nutrient needs. Prepare the site by added needed soil amendments, improving drainage and planning on proper spacing. Pecan trees need plenty of room to grow, so plan for adequate spacing to avoid overcrowding. The ideal spacing ranges from 40 by 40 feet to 60 by 60 feet, but I tend to favor the 60 by 60 spacing for residential and low-input settings. Overcrowded orchards create dense canopies that trap humidity and reduce sunlight, fostering pathogens and reducing productivity. Proper tree spacing is essential to avoid these issues and maximize fruitfulness.

Watering and Irrigation

Watering is crucial, especially in the first few years. A well-planned watering schedule or an efficient irrigation system can significantly enhance tree establishment and growth. Ensure your young trees receive consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods. Plan to water your trees at least once a week during the summer to ensure their survival.

Fertilization Protocol

First Year: Focus on acclimating your trees to their new environment. Apply light fertilizer (¼ to ½ cup of balanced fertilizer) to encourage root and shoot growth. If you have irrigation, you can increase to 1 cup, split into two applications (March and June). Avoid heavy fertilization as it can cause more harm than good by burning young roots.

Second and Third Years: Increase to 1 pound of 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 three times a year (March, May, June). Add 1 pound of Zinc Sulfate if soil tests or foliar tests indicate it is needed. Zinc is crucial for pecan trees as it supports healthy leaf and nut development.

Fourth Year Onwards: Adjust applications based on annual soil and foliar tests as trees mature. This ensures that the trees receive the right amount of nutrients as they grow larger and more productive.

Cultural Practices

Good cultural practices are essential for healthy and productive pecan trees. Regularly manage weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Mulching around the base of the trees can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune and train your trees to promote healthy growth and shape. Proper pruning helps improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, which can reduce disease incidence. Monitor for pests and diseases and manage them with sustainable or low-input methods whenever possible.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

Harvesting pecans at the right time is crucial for quality. Once harvested, clean, dry, and store pecans properly to maintain their quality. Proper post-harvest handling ensures your pecans are ready for market or personal use.

By following these guidelines, you can establish a productive and healthy pecan orchard. With the right care and attention, your pecan trees will provide a fruitful harvest for years to come. Happy planting!