{"id":11374,"date":"2022-01-29T12:58:11","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T12:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=11374"},"modified":"2023-01-26T09:36:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T09:36:39","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-a-pecan-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-take-care-of-a-pecan-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Take Care Of A Pecan Tree {A Simple Guide}"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pecan trees are a great addition to a large garden to produce nuts for the family or to grow on a larger scale for commercial purposes. The trees require some care and attention to grow a good nut crop. We will look at how to take care of a pecan tree in this article. They are native to the United States and grow best<\/a> in hardiness zones 6 through 9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Take Care Of A Pecan Tree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pecan trees require a good deal of care while young but generally less so as they mature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at their needs, point by point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil and Fertilizer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common macronutrients required by pecan trees include Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), but they also need Calcium (Ca), Sulphur (S), and Magnesium (Mg). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are required to achieve a range of functions, including photosynthesis, sugar transportation, and creating proteins, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides macronutrients, micronutrients are needed to help plant development, but in much smaller amounts. These include Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Chloride (Cl), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), and Molybdenum (Mo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the tree is young, it requires the correct fertilizer ratio<\/a> to stimulate a good amount of growth. Look for fruit tree fertilizers that have all the nutrients your pecan needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply small quantities of a quality nitrogen-based fertilizer monthly during the growing season. We will look at the required amounts later in the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinc is essential for good nut production. Zinc sulfate should be applied as a foliar spray at a rate of one pound for every inch of trunk diameter to young non-bearing trees and three pounds for older bearing trees. Mix with water and spread evenly around the roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test your soil before planting your tree and improve it accordingly to your young tree get a good start. Improvement can be made with the addition of well-rotted compost, manure, or fertilizer pellets mixed with the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure any pellets used are of a type that won\u2019t burn your young tree\u2019s roots and are made especially for nut trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your tree grows, keep an eye on the leaflets, as foliar analysis<\/a> can be a good indicator of health. If they start going yellow or getting any spots or brown edges, you know there is a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The perfect soil pH for a pecan is 6.5, but they tolerate soil in a range between 6 and 7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as all living things, trees need water to survive. Pecan trees require a lot of water to produce a good harvest, and soil should be kept moist but not wet, particularly around the roots of young trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water deeply twice weekly or more depending on weather conditions from March to the end of September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply mulch to the base of the tree to prevent water evaporation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older trees<\/a> may require watering in dry weather, again water deeply as necessary to keep the tree healthy and green.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Young trees need protection from insect pests such as aphids which suck all the nutrients<\/a> from the leaves. An easy way to remove them is with a strong jet from a water hose. You can also apply ladybugs, as they are natural aphid predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scab is a common pecan tree disease<\/a>, although some cultivars are more susceptible. It causes black spots and green warts on the leaves, branches, and nut cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damp and humid conditions scab, and it\u2019s best controlled by increasing the airflow around the tree by pruning and thinning out branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bad case may require the application of a fungicide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the first few years, pruning your pecan tree to produce an ideal open shape will set it up for life. After this, only a minimal amount of maintenance pruning will be required at the end of each winter. See our article about pruning<\/a> pecan trees to find out more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this video, you can see more information on pecan tree care: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DHr_bWflB1s<\/a>