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Commercial Fruit and Nuts

What can I do to improve the quality of my pecans?

Pecan quality, during any given year, depends on the health of the tree and the environmental conditions during the growing season. There should be no standing water under the tree for over 24 hours after a rain. Surface ditches may be necessary to overcome poor drainage. Maintain a vegetative free area under the canopy of the tree or trees. Dead grass under the canopy of the tree is almost as beneficial as irrigation.Use clovers on an orchard floor to help supply needed nitrogen and also beneficial insects that feed on aphids in the pecan trees. The clover should die out by mid-summer, decreasing moisture competition. If needed, thin trees or prune single trees to insure wind movement. The disease "scab" requires moisture to grow.

Soil test and follow recommendations prior to March 15. This would eliminate any possibility of nutrient deficiencies.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762