avoid property damage should a high wind cause a fruit-laden tree to break or topple.
FERTILIZING: According to the LSU AgCenter, fertilizing is the most important action a homeowner can take to ensure good nut production. The AgCenter recommends broadcasting a balanced (8-8-8) fertilizer at a rate of three pounds of per inch of trunk diameter late in the tree’s dormancy period (February or March). Watering will be necessary in the case of a prolonged dry period.
FRUIT BEARING: Pecan trees grow at a moderate rate of one to two feet per year. Even under the best of circumstances, it can take four or five years for a grafted pecan tree to produce; most take eight to 10 years, and a non-grafted seedling may take as long as 10 to 15 years to begin production. Many varieties alternate a year of heavy fruit bearing with a year of light fruit bearing (a cycle known as biennial bearing). The biennial nature of fruit bearing results in “on-years” and “off-years” in the tonnage of the Louisiana crop. “Off-year” values can be as low as 50% to 60% of “on-year” values. 2014 is an “on-year.”
HARVESTING: Once a tree is large enough, pecan harvesting becomes a matter of collecting dropped nuts from the ground as soon as they fall to avoid problems associated with moisture. But when trees are still a manageable size, they can be shaken and pecans collected when they tumble. Some harvesters use long poles to bat the branches and induce the nuts to drop. A well-known Clementine Hunter painting shows small boys in pecan trees shaking the branches and grownups standing below, holding baskets to catch the harvest.
NUTRITION: Pecans have terrific health benefits. They are “highest in antioxidants of all tree nuts,” beating out almonds and walnuts in studies conducted by the United State Department of Agriculture. Pecans are also a rich source of oleic acid, one of the beneficial components of olive oil. The American Heart Association has certified pecans as a “Heart Healthy” food.
R. Stephanie Bruno writes about houses and gardens. Contact her at email@example.com.