Establishing a Pecan Orchard

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Division o$ Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources " Oklahoma State University HLA-6247 Establishing a Pecan Orchard allowed to stand in the eld, it will cause waterlogging, hence blocking o33 oxygen that pecan roots require in order to be productive. Eventually, such trees will decline in productivity and die. " An area prone to 3requent and long-term fooding should not be considered.

Fall fooding can wash pecan crops down stream or make the orchard inaccessible 3or har- vest. Flooding during April-June reduces the orchard 9s production potential. Flooding also decreases 3ertilizer e3 ciency, and inter3eres with pest and disease control.

" Gentle slopes help in air drainage. Disease problems are more problematic when windbreaks or low-lying land restricts air fow. Cold air settles in protected or low areas, making the site more prone to 3reeze problems in both the late 3all and early spring.

An area with steep slopes may cause erosion problems and increase hazards as- sociated with mechanical operations. Land Preparation 1. The rst step is to take a soil sample 3or nutrient-supply- ing ability.

Contact your local county extension agent 3or in3ormation on how to collect the sample and submit it 3or analysis. The test will determine the lime and 3ertilizer requirement ... more. less.

(see O.S.U. Extension Fact Sheet HLA-6232, Fertilizing Tree Fruits and Pecans ). 2. Correct any drainage problems by diverting sur3ace water and opening up ditches 3or internal drainage. Assistance in planning adequate drainage can be obtained 3rom the Natural Resource Conservation Service. 3. Remove any obstructions, trees, stumps, etc. 4. Weed control should also begin at this stage. Perennial weeds such as bermudagrass and johnsongrass should be eradicated in the tree row be3ore planting trees. Weed competition can greatly reduce the growth and survival o3 young trees. Herbicide strips are bene cial 3or newly established orchards. Fact Sheet HLA-6242, Weed Con- trol in Pecans, Apples, and Peaches, discusses methods o3 control. 5. I3 an impervious zone in the soil is present, the area should be broken or considered as available rooting depth. 6. Apply lime and non-nitrogen 3ertilizer based on the soil test results and the recommendations. Nitrogen 3ertil- izer should be applied only to the extent needed by the cover crop until a3ter the trees are growing. Because phosphorus and potassium move very slowly in the Becky Carroll Senior Agriculturist Michael W. Smith Research Horticulturist B. Dean McCraw Extension Horticulturist The decision to establish a pecan orchard should be studied care3ully due to the long-term investment and extensive management strategies involved in pecan production. A well planned, organized orchard will prove to be more e3 cient by requiring less inputs and o33ering larger potential returns. In Oklahoma, pecan production is mainly 3rom native trees. However, several bene ts are associated with planted orchards. Either cultivars or seedlings may be selected depend- ing on the grower 9s goals. Straight rows in planted orchards 3acilitate maintenance, irrigation, and harvest. In addition, tree growth and spacing requirements can be anticipated, as well as planning 3or tree thinning. Choosing the Location Because o3 the permanent nature o3 pecans, choosing the orchard location is extremely important. Both the soil characteristics and geographical location o3 the orchard may determine the success o3 the planting. Soil " Native pecans are typically 3ound growing in deep allu- vial soils along rivers and streams. These alluvial soils are good 3or pecan production, but uplands with deep well-drained soils and proper management can also be productive. " Soils should have at least 36 inches o3 aerable soil. " The soil should also have the ability to hold large quanti- ties o3 water. A permeable clayey subsoil can aid in water holding capacity without waterlogging the rooting zone. Light textured soils with low water-holding capacity require irrigation 3or consistent pecan production. " The water table during wet periods should remain at least 6 3eet below the soil sur3ace. Shallow water tables limit rooting zones, which in turn limit available water during prolonged droughts. Site " The terrain should be level or gently sloping and 3ree o3 areas that hold water. Pecans are more e3 ciently harvested and managed on nearly level ground. " Sur3ace drainage is important. Drain the sur3ace water to leave the orchard quickly a3ter heavy rains. I3 water is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets are also available on our website at: http://osu$acts.okstate.edu Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service HLA-6247-2 soil, incorporating these pre-plant will provide greater accessibility to the trees. The soil pH should be 6.0 to 7.0. I3 necessary, apply lime and incorporate it into the soil along with other pre-plant 3ertilizers. 7. Green manure crops improve the soil and can also be used to reduce weed problems. Summer cover crops such as hybrid sudan grass, cow peas, or mung beans and winter cover crops such as wheat, annual ryegrass, or crimson clover may be utilized. A3ter the orchard is established, a permanent sod such as 3escue, white clover, or native annual and perennial grasses work well. 8. Irrigation improves tree establishment and can increase productivity. Trickle irrigation, movable or solid set sprinkle irrigation, or traveling gun irrigation systems all work well 3or pecans. I3 irrigation is planned, an adequate water source and properly designed system is essential. Note: Consult an Extension Agricultural Engineer or any other irrigation specialist be3ore establishing an orchard. Selecting the Right Cultivars There is no one best cultivar. Each recommended cultivar has both strong and weak points. At least 3our cultivars should be planted to insure proper pollination and also to guard against crop 3ailure. These cultivars should complement each other, especially in respect to times 3or shedding pollen; there3ore, at least two early and two late pollen shedding cultivars should be selected. Pollinator cultivars should be within 150 3eet o3 the cultivars to be pollinated. The marketing program may determine the cultivars to be selected. Direct marketed pecans are usually the larger nuts. Wholesale nut prices are not dependent upon size, so smaller, hardier more consistent producing cultivars may be best 3or this market. Disease resistance, earliness o3 budbreak, date o3 nut maturity, cold hardiness, kernel quality, bearing consistency, and depredator susceptibility should be considered 3or the particular location. Some cultivars do better in the southern areas o3 the state while others do best in northern Oklahoma. For example, late-maturing cultivars may be 3rozen in the shuck in northern areas o3 the state. Also, cultivars that are susceptible to pecan scab and normally require intensive spray programs in most parts o3 the state may be managed with minimal 3ungicide sprays i3 planted in the dry, arid regions o3 the state. Fact Sheet HLA-6201, Pecan Varieties )or Okla- homa, discusses the recommended cultivars 3or Oklahoma. Designing the Orchard Planning the orchard design is important, as it provides proper pollination, ease in operations and later aids in tree thinning. The initial tree spacing recommended is 403t x 403t. This spacing allows 27 trees per acre. Pollinator rows should be no more than eight rows apart (320 3eet) and should remain in position a3ter tree thinning. The rst thinning should be initiated between 16 and 22 years or when over 60 percent o3 the orchard foor is shaded at solar noon. Figure 1 shows the initial planting spacings and the subsequent thinnings. At about 25 to 35 years old, the nal spacing should be 80 3t x 80 3t with seven trees per acre. Temporary trees that will be removed during the rst thinning provide a good opportunity to plant cultivars that per3orm well when young but develop problems when older. Trees used as temporaries may tend to overbear, have weak wood, or produce poor quality nuts as the trees mature. Mohawk is a good example o3 a temporary tree that a grower may use. Tree Selection and Establishment Rootstock selection can dramatically a33ect tree cold hardi- ness. Rootstocks 3rom northern cultivars such as Peruque or Giles or 3rom trees native to the same or a more northern area will produce more cold-hardy trees than trees with southern rootstocks. Orchards can be started by planting seeds in-place, plant- ing seedling trees and then gra3ting them one to two years a3ter planting, or planting gra3ted trees. Planting seeds in-place is not recommended because o3 di3 culties in controlling weeds, excessive tree loss, and time to start production. Planting seedling trees and then gra3ting them a3ter they are established is a satis3actory method o3 establishing an orchard. The advantages include a low tree cost, availability o3 cold-hardy rootstocks, and a wider selection o3 cultivars available. These trees should be gra3ted 18 inches or more above the soil line to improve cold hardiness o3 the young trees. Planting gra3ted trees has had mixed success. These trees cost substantially more than seedling trees; however, later labor and gra3ting costs may be avoided. One problem that 3requently arises when gra3ted trees are planted is loss o3 the top 3rom cold injury 3ollowed by resprouting 3rom the rootstock 4such trees must be regra3ted. Nursery grown trees are gra3ted at or below the soil line, which decreases cold hardiness. Also, most nursery grown trees are on southern rootstocks, which reduce cold hardiness o3 the gra3ted top. The most satis3actory establishment method has been use o3 seedling trees 3ollowed by gra3ting in one to two years. Both bareroot or container-grown trees are acceptable. Bareroot trees should be planted when dormant in January through March. When planting bareroot trees, have the location ready with the planting holes prepared earlier. I3 bareroot trees are utilized, the taproot should be trimmed to 12 to 18 inches in length with the broken lateral roots removed, and one-third to a hal3 o3 the top removed. Keep the roots moist and sheltered 3rom the wind or 3reezing temperatures. Container-grown trees may be planted 3rom October to May, but may be very susceptible to drought conditions. They may be planted without modi cation o3 the root system unless the container has caused the root to curl, in which case the curled portion o3 the root should be removed prior to planting. Fact Sheet HLA-6207, Starting Pecan Trees , provides details 3or planting pecan trees. For gra3ting in3ormation, consult Fact Sheet HLA-6217, Collecting and Storing Pecan Propagation Wood; HLA-6204, Bark Gra)ting Pecans; and HLA-6230, Four-fap Gra)ting o) Pecans . A gra3twood source list, as well as a pecan nursery listing, is available 3rom each OSU county Extension o3 ce. Managing the Orchard Floor The most commonly used orchard foor management system at this time is a combination o3 herbicide strips beside the tree rows and sod middles between rows. This system has proven very success3ul in pecan orchards. A mulch layer 4 to 6 3eet either side o3 the tree and 3 to 4 inches deep a3ter settling has shown much promise in promoting tree growth, HLA-6247-3 especially in the rst two to three years. The mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds that compete with the trees. Wood chips, straw or other organic material can be used as mulch. Many growers also graze cattle in pecan orchards a3ter trees are at least 12 3eet tall. Properly managed grazing does not decrease pecan production. With increasing grazing restrictions involved with pesticide use, grazing is becoming increasingly more di3 cult. Current Report CR-6242, Weed Control in Pecans, Apples, and Peaches, describes some options 3or growers. Also, Fact Sheet HLA-6208, Improving Native Pecan Groves, presents a 3ew orchard foor manage- ment strategies. Irrigating the Young Orchard A new orchard should be watered when planted to reduce voids. It is also important to keep the developing root zone moist 3or the rst 3ew years. Drip or trickle irrigation works well in establishing orchards, while growers have also used sprinklers and big gun systems success3ully in established orchards. The drip irrigation systems complement orchards utilizing herbicide strips. The in3ormation sheet Trickle Irriga- tion Scheduling Guide )or Pecan Trees is available 3rom OSU county Extension o3 ces as well as Fact Sheet BAE-1511, Trickle Irrigation )or Lawns, Gardens, and Small Orchards, which gives some good background in3ormation. Pest Control Non-bearing trees need protection against lea3-eating insects and 3oliar diseases until production begins. Aphids, 3all webworms, walnut datana and other 3oliage 3eeders should be monitored and controlled be3ore serious damage occurs. Pecan scab may need to be controlled in susceptible cultivars. Current Report CR-6209, Pecan Insect & Disease Control gives times to spray, materials labeled 3or use, and help3ul in3ormation when dealing with pests. Fertilization A3ter growth begins in the spring, apply nitrogen 3ertilizer as recommended in Fact Sheet HLA-6232, Fertilizing Pecan and Fruit Trees . Young rapidly growing trees will require 3our to seven 3oliar zinc applications a year. This 3act sheet also details the proper procedure 3or collecting lea3 samples 3or nutrient analysis. Annual lea3 analysis is extremely important in determining proper nutrient concentrations in the orchard. Training Fact Sheet #6245, Training Pecan Trees, details the procedures 3or providing the tree with the 3ramework needed to support 3uture wood growth and heavy croploads and also to endure the elements with minimum breakage. Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Pecan Publications HLA-6200 A Calendar )or Pecan Growers HLA-6201 Pecan Varieties For Oklahoma HLA-6207 Starting Pecan Trees HLA-6232 Fertilizing Pecan and Fruit Trees HLA-6217 Collecting and Storing Pecan Propagation Wood HLA-6204 Bark Gra)ting Pecans HLA-6230 Four-fap Gra)ting o) Pecans CR-6209 Pecan Insect & Disease Control CR-6242 Weed Control in Pecans, Apples, and Peaches HLA-6245 Training Pecan Trees HLA-6208 Improving Native Pecan Groves HLA-6250 Use o) Legumes in Pecan Orchards HLA-6251 Pecan Crop Load Management BAE-1511 Trickle Irrigation )or Lawns, Gardens, and Small Orchards In3ormation sheet Trickle Irrigation Scheduling Guide )or Pecan Trees HLA-6247-4 SQUARE PLANTING PLAN TRIANGLE PLANTING PLAN Figure 1. Initial planting 40' x 40' (27 trees/acre) P 1 P 1 P 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 P 1 P 1 P 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 P 1 P 1 P 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 First thinning about 16-22 years (14 trees/acre) P P P 2 2 2 P P P 2 2 2 P P P 2 2 2 Final thinning about 25-30 years 80' x 80' (7 trees/acre) P P P P P P P P P P = Permanent tree; 1 = removed at rst thinning; 2 = removed at second thinning Initial planting 40' x 40' (27 trees/acre) P P P 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 P P P 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 P P P 2 2 2 First thinning about 16-20 years (14 trees/acre) P P P 2 2 2 P P P 2 2 2 P P P 2 2 2 Final thinning about 30-40 years 80' x 80' (7 trees/acre) P P P P P P P P P Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII o3 the Civil Rights Act o3 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amende d, Title IX o3 the Education Amendments o3 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act o3 1990, and other 3ederal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis o3 race, color, natio nal origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any o3 its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, nancial aid, and e ducational services. Issued in 3urtherance o3 Cooperative Extension work, acts o3 May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department o3 Agriculture, Robert E. Whitson, Director o3 Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State U niversity as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director o3 the Division o3 Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost o3 20 cents per copy. 0606 GH.

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