Do pecan trees require pruning?
Young pecan trees must be trained during the early phases of development. If left untrained, they will naturally produce scaffold limbs with narrow crotches. As these limbs grow to become the dominant scaffold limbs of a mature tree, they will eventually split off in wind and under heavy crop loads.
The angle of scaffold branches can be controlled, since the angle of the branch depends upon the position of the bud from which it emerges. Pecan usually have 3 or more buds at a node. The top bud is the primary bud. It is dominant and tends to grow almost straight up. This bud should be used to establish the central leader. However, scaffold limbs should develop from secondary buds during the 1st and 2nd years. These buds should only be allowed to develop after the tree is over 6 feet tall.
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Blueberries aren’t just delicious. They’re high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, which is part of the reason they have gained popularity in our kitchens. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/MSU Extension)
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Despite the weather challenges this year, most Mississippi pecan producers expect a good yield.
However, a wet spring and late-summer drought could mean nut loss and lessened nut quality for some growers.
Pruning is a task I put off, and my blueberry bushes serve as a testament to this fact. Mainly, I am unsure how to do it correctly most of the time and don’t want to kill my plants.
Commercial pecan growers can learn about orchard establishment and management during the 2019 Pecan Education Workshop March 20 in Raymond.
Fruit and vegetable growers, or those interested in getting into the business, are invited to a daylong conference Feb. 26 in Verona.
