It appears as if most folks are experiencing numerous problems with their pecan trees now. One of the biggest concerns is that the tree is dropping the immature nuts. Some trees are losing leaflets as well. Pecan trees require a lot of water. Mature bearing trees require two inches per week. This is almost impossible to accomplish when we are only allowed to water once per week. Most of our yard pecan trees also have turfgrass under the tree canopy and the lawn is also competing with the tree for any irrigation water that is applied.
In order to properly water a pecan tree the water should be applied out at the edge of the branches, at the drip line. Applying the water in close to the tree trunk does not provide the tree any benefit. When the trees become stressed they go into a self preservation mode. The pecans drop off first. If the stress continues the leaves drop off next. Loss of the tree leaves in the summer is bad. The leaves are the tree’s mechanism to feed themselves during the growing season. Premature leaf loss can lead to weaker stressed trees next spring.
The lack of rainfall also contributes to excessive soil temperatures which can kill tender feeder roots of the tree. Once trees become stressed we usually see other problems such as increased insect pressure and increased disease susceptibility. Numerous commercial pecan orchards in our area are also having problems with drought. Some orchards are reporting losing up to 30% of their trees.
For more information, contact the Brown County Extension Office at 325-646-0386.
