The following pecan trees are also excellent as an ornamental tree. The best time to plant pecan trees is in February. This will help in root development as apposed to leaf, limb and trunk growth.
Western Schley - This pecan tree will do best in the arid desert southwest. It is a self pollinator and produces heavy fruit at an early age. It likes arid climates and is also excellent for southern California deserts and higher altitudes. It does well in the colder Texas Panhandle region. It usually ripens in late October and early November. It will also pollinate other varieties of pecan trees.
Burkett - This pecan tree is a medium to large round soft shell nut. It is rich, distinctive flavored kernel. It is a large tree and ripens in late September and through early November. Likes arid climates.
Cheyenne - Is a medium soft shell with an excellent flavor. It produces fruit early in the season - Mid September. Can pollinate other pecan varieties. It like southern humid and arid climates including east and west regions. It is a semi self fertile.
Mahan - A very large soft shell kernel. This pecan bears heavy at an early age, and is also a good shade tree. It prefers arid warm winter climates. Ripens in Mid November.
Mohawk - Very large soft shell also a heavy bearer when young. It does very well in the Southwest and Southeast regions. It It is a very attractive tree also excellent for the large backyard. Ripens in Late October, early November.
Hardy Pecan Tree - Carya Illinoinensis, is a beautiful, majestic tree that grows to a height of 70 to 100 feet with a spread of 40 to 75 feet. It has low wide spreading branches. The tree provides a bounty of sweet pecan fruits and lots of summer shade after reaching maturity. Hardy Pecan trees have moderate water requirements and has a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali soils. This deciduous, hardy, shade tree is ideal for lawns because it does not shed its leaves until late fall and it is practically immune to the attack of insects. The one drawback is that it takes 12-15 years before the tree begins to bear nuts .
Pecan Tree Tips
Remember pecan trees need ample chill hours to produce a good crop. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of hours between November 1st and February 15th that are between 32 degrees and 45 degrees F. These hours are cumulative and not continuous. In the Las Cruces, NM area we normally have over 1,000 chill hours.
Pruning one-third to one-half of the top is one way of getting pecan trees to thrive.
Harvest time is usually after the first good hard freeze in the southwest.
You should plant pecans about 2″ deeper than normal to allow for settling of the soil.
Water every day for the first 2 weeks when planting any tree, and use a good root stimulator to stimulate root growth.
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If leaves start to turn yellowish, it is time to fertilize.
If your tree is not bearing fruit you probably need a fertilizer with ZINC.
Dead twigs in tops of pecan trees, small nuts, and yellowing of leaves are an indication of ZINC defeciency.
Check your local nursery for fruit/pecan tree fertilizer.
Keep your pecan tree free of insects and diseases. Physically inspect your tree(s) on a weekly basis.
Always remove grass and weeds under the tree canopy.
Always plant so the root is totally buried in the original soil line or landscape.
Amost all varieties of pecans trees will do better with a pollinator. The Western Schle will pollinate other pecan trees.
Gary & Paul Guzman are the authors of this article: Gary is the owner of Color your world nurseries & Paul is general manager of Guzman’s greenhouse and the webmaster of http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com
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