where do pecan trees grow best

American pecans constitute some 80% of the world market. The top pecan-producing states are Georgia, New Mexico and Texas.

Where is the best place to plant a pecan tree?

Pecan Planting Guide: Location and Preparation

Plant the tree in a location with soil that drains freely to a depth of 5 feet (1.5 m.). Growing pecan trees have a long taproot that is susceptible to disease if the soil is soggy. Hilltops are ideal.

What zones do pecan trees grow in?

The pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is a deciduous tree native to North America and most successfully grown in hardiness zones 5-9. This member of the hickory genus can grow to heights of over 100 feet and may live and bear nuts (actually drupes) for up to 300 years.

How long does it take for a pecan tree to bear fruit?

A grafted pecan tree 4 to 6 feet tall planted in a good site and properly maintained will generally begin production in 6 to 7 years. The more precocious varieties may sometimes start production in 4 to 5 years. The less precocious varieties may take 8 to 10 years to bear.

Do Pecan trees need full sun?

To produce a healthy, productive and beautiful pecan tree, the planting site must provide adequate room for growth, full sun, and deep, well drained soil with sufficient water and nutrients. Mature pecan trees need adequate space for proper growth.

Do you need 2 pecan trees to produce nuts?

Pecans have both male and female flowers, but they do not bloom at the same time. This basically means that a single pecan tree cannot pollinate itself, and will not produce nuts. To get around this problem, you have to plant at least 2 trees and they cannot be the same “type”.

How far should a pecan tree be planted from a house?

Pecan trees should be planted at least 20 feet (preferably more) away from homes, garages, driveways, etc.

What is the fastest growing pecan tree?

The Pawnee Pecan (Carya illinoinensis 'Pawnee') has recently become one of the more popular pecan producing trees around. It tends to produce nuts much more rapidly than other species of pecan trees do.

What is the life expectancy of a pecan tree?

Has a lifespan of 300 years or more.

Can you grow a pecan tree from a nut?

A viable pecan seed (the nut) is the product of cross pollination (sexual reproduction) between two pecan trees. ... Of course, you CAN grow a pecan tree from pecan nut. That's how commercial growers get their rootstocks, and it's also how new and different pecan varieties are discovered.

Do pecan trees bear fruit every year?

While pecan trees may produce a crop each year once they get started, heavy crops of nuts get produced in alternate years. The phenomenon, called alternate bearing, means the trees produce light crops in the other years.

Can you eat pecans off the tree?

Pecan trees are actually in the hickory family. ... Most importantly, if you've found a pecan tree and it's harvest time, you're likely to find pecans on the ground or to spot them among the leaves of the tree. All varieties of pecans are edible, so you don't need to worry about which kind of pecan you've found.

What is the best fertilizer for pecan trees?

If you are growing an orchard of pecan trees, and looking to make a profit, you'll probably want to use a fertilizer containing ammonium sulphate, which is typically accepted as the suitable fertilizer by most pecan tree farmers. Ammonium sulfate can be bought in bulk form, or in bags.

What are the best pecan trees?

Choctaw is a good yard tree because of its beautiful foliage, scab resistance and high yields of large, high-quality pecans. Unfortunately, Choctaw requires the very best soil and management; otherwise, it will fail. Nuts/lb - 38; percent kernel - 59. Tejas is a good yard tree for west Texas.

Do pecan trees have invasive roots?

Pecan trees grow from a deep taproot anchoring the large nut-producing tree. The pecan tree, like its relatives in the walnut family of large deciduous trees, develops a strong taproot that grows deep into the ground, anchoring the large tree and protecting it from drought on the surface.

Are coffee grounds good for pecan trees?

Pecan trees also require full sun throughout the day, so they should not be planted in an area that experiences any shade. Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of Holly Shrubs and Holly Trees for dense foliage growth and improved berry production.

How do I get my old pecan tree to produce?

Low fertility and an inadequate amount of zinc can limit nut production. Fertilize according to soil test and tissue analysis. Without a soil test, the rule of thumb for fertilizing pecan trees is one pound of 13-13-13 fertilizer per tree for every year of the tree's age, up to 25 pounds.

Are there male and female pecan trees?

Pecan trees are monoecious. This means that they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers are located on 4-5 inch long catkins, while female flowers are small, yellowish-green, and grow on spikes at the tips of shoots.

Why are my pecans empty?

Failure of pecans to fill out can be due to poor soil nutrition, pests and diseases that cause leaf loss (e.g. scab, fall webworm), poor pollination, and/or drought. ... These sources address some of the causes for failure of pecan nuts to fill properly.

What will kill a pecan tree?

Drown the roots of the tree with full-strength distilled white vinegar. Vinegar removes moisture from the tree roots, which is enough to kill it. Pecan trees also need a relatively dry, yet still moist soil to grow properly. When you over saturate the soil on top of the roots, you help kill the pecan tree.

Do you have to prune pecan trees?

Do pecan trees need pruning? The short answer is: yes. Cutting back pecan trees in the first five years of their lives can be a huge benefit when they reach maturity. And pruning a pecan tree when it is grown can help prevent the spread of disease and promote better nut production.