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The Florida Pecan: A Fall Treat

The Florida Pecan: A Fall Treat

by | Oct 24, 2024

Pecan trees are a southern staple in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and North Florida, prized for their delicious nuts and gorgeous additions they make to the landscape. During October and November, we start to see the mature pecan nuts fall to the ground and these can be dried and stored for many months, making them a long-lasting and rewarding crop. Here is what you need to know to install pecan trees of your own at home.

Pecan tree grove in North Florida. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

Choosing the Right Variety

Florida’s warm climate and extended growing season creates excellent conditions for pecan trees. But not all pecan tree varieties thrive in Florida’s climate. Because of the humid conditions that the state presents, some varieties are more susceptible to common diseases such as pecan scab. The recommended varieties for Florida include:

  • ‘Elliot,’ ‘Excel,’ ‘Lakota,’ and ‘Sumner’ are typically the first varieties to be recommended because they have an excellent resistance to pecan scab.
  • ‘Cape Fear,’ ‘Caddo,’ ‘Desirable,’ and ‘Kiowa’ are recommended on a case-by-case basis due to their high quality nut production but will require constant scouting due to their low disease resistance. These varieties are typically seen on a commercial production scale.
  • The ‘Stuart’ pecan tree produces high quality pecans, but it can take up to 10 years to see any signs of production, so it is not commonly installed into the home landscape.

When planting your pecan trees, be sure to purchase trees from reputable and certified nurseries to ensure healthy, disease-resistant plants that produce high-quality nuts.

Planting and Soil Requirements

Pecan trees need well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 – 6.5. If you are unsure of your soil’s pH, it is wise to take a soil sample prior to installing your trees. Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office for more information. Here are a few things to consider when planting pecans:

  • Site Requirement: It is important to remember that pecan trees require full sun and plenty of space to grow, as they can reach at least 70 feet in height with a wide canopy. They will need to be planted away from structures and power lines.
  • Planting Depth: Pecan trees should be planted during the dormant season (November-February) and require a planting hole no bigger than 2 feet wide and 2 ½ feet deep to allow the taproot to extend directly into the ground.
  • Tree Spacing: Older trees need to be spaced at least 60 to 80 feet apart. But younger trees or newly planted trees need to be spaced not as far as this. Pecan trees must cross-pollinate to produce nuts, so they must be close enough to share their pollen but far enough apart to not hinder the other trees’ root growth. Initial spacing can range from 30 to 40 feet apart.

Pecan tree grove in North Florida. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

Fertilization and Watering

Young pecan trees need consistent watering after recently being transplanted to help establish their root system efficiently. Once established, pecan trees be relatively drought tolerant, but still benefit from deep watering during the dry periods. Irrigation is the most critical during the establishment of the first year. For the first 2 years of the tree’s life, they may require up to 10 gallons of water per day based on the current weather conditions. For fertilizer, apply 10-10-10 in early March through June. Fertilizer should be applied in a circle around the trunk of the tree. Avoid placing fertilizer directly against the trunk of the tree.

Growing pecan trees in Florida requires some planning and maintenance, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With the right variety selection, planting care, and attention to irrigation, you can have a bountiful harvest of homegrown pecans for your family to enjoy Whether you’re planting a single tree or a establishing a small orchard, pecan trees are a valuable and delicious to any Florida landscape. For more information, please visit:

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS229

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/pecan/

 

Pecans – A Southern Tradition

by | Nov 11, 2013

As I made a visit back to my hometown in North Alabama I was reminded of the subtle changes from fall into winter, which are not always apparent to me living in Tallahassee: the vibrant palette of leaves as they make their permanent descent until spring, the litter of spent cotton along each highway and county road and the annual pecan harvest that has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.

Due to the variations in climate and topography from upper Alabama to the panhandle of Florida, our seasons can differ greatly. However, I know of one entity that remains a constant and that is the availability of pecans. Pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) are a common sight throughout the South. They can be spotted as far west as Texas and as far north as Illinois. The pecan tree is native to the Mississippi floodplain, which has deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans used pecans as a primary food source for thousands of years.

What’s more, pecans have major economic value. The annual value of pecans in the United States is estimated at 200 to 500 million dollars. Florida produces from five to ten million pounds of pecans annually. The majority of that pecan production acreage (6,500 acres) can be found in North Florida. While the nut is the main attractant of the tree, there’s not much that warms the heart more than seeing pecan pie at the dessert table on Thanksgiving.

A well worn recipe for southern pecan pie that has been passed down through my family.

A well worn recipe for southern pecan pie that has been passed down through my family.

Pecan trees are deciduous, which means that they drop their leaves in the winter. An additional consideration for those planning to install pecan trees is to  be aware that they are wind-pollinated and that their male and female flowers often do not mature at the same time. Therefore, in order to ensure the possibility of high yields, two or more cultivars should be planted together for cross-pollination.

Be sure to choose a variety like ‘Elliot’ or ‘Curtis’ that has good disease resistance, is suited for North Florida and will cross-pollinate well. Plant pecans during the colder months to allow for root growth before spring. The optimum soil pH for pecans is 5.5 to 6.5. At the lower end of this range, micronutrient deficiency symptoms should be less common. Pecan trees should start producing decent crops in six to twelve years. A tree at maturity can reach up to seventy feet tall so plan spacing and placement accordingly.

Pecan tree planted by my great-grandparents in Monrovia, Alabama.

Pecan tree planted by my great-grandparents in Monrovia, Alabama.

For more information please consult Pecan Cultivars for North Florida or contact your local UF IFAS county extension office.