Texas Pecan Nut Tree Growing
- 1). Remove all weeds from within a 6-foot radius of the pecan tree planting site. Especially in Texas' summer heat, the pecan tree can't compete with weeds for water and nutrients.
CHOOSE the planting location carefully as the pecan tree can grow from 80 to 100 feet tall. Site the tree well away from overhead power lines. - 2). Provide the newly planted pecan tree with 1 gallon of water a day for its first year. This can be applied daily or you can give the tree 7 gallons of water a week. If the temperatures climb over 95 degrees Fahrenheit in your part of Texas, double the amount of water during that time.
- 3). Cut off all shoots other than the strongest shoot, which will become the young pecan tree's main trunk. In early spring, before growth is initiated, cut the main trunk to half its height. New growth will appear near this cut. Every spring, choose the strongest shoot from this new growth and cut the others off.
- 4). Fertilize the pecan tree by applying 21-0-0 or 33-0-0 fertilizer to the soil beneath the tree, 1 foot from the trunk and spread out to the dripline. Water the soil after fertilizing so that the product will soak down to the tree's roots. Fertilize a newly planted tree in June. Fertilize mature trees in April, May and June. Experts with Texas A&M University suggest that the tree should receive 1 cup of fertilizer for each inch of trunk diameter.
- 5). Spray the pecan tree with zinc nitrate every two weeks from April through August. Add 2 to 4 tsp. of liquid zinc to a gallon of water and spray the pecan tree's foliage until it is drenched.
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