Berry’s Picks

Home Pecan Tree Fertilization and Cross Timbers Land Management Symposium

Pecan trees are commonly found in the home landscape. In order for the trees to remain healthy and productive you must establish a good fertilization program.

Nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) are the only mineral elements that pecan trees normally need for good growth and production. Nitrogen may be applied on the soil surface, or it can be applied in water through a drip irrigation system.

Zinc must be applied as a foliar spray. Zinc applied to the soil is soon tied up in a form unavailable to the tree. Zinc sprays should coincide with first appearance and growth of new leaves in the spring. Zinc sprays are not helpful once growth flushing on mature trees has ceased. Young trees, that flush growth continually in spring and summer benefit from regular zinc sprays. The most economical form of zinc to apply is zinc sulfate wettable powder. It should be mixed in water at a rate of 2 tsps./gallon of water. Liquid zinc nitrate may also be used and is available from agricultural suppliers.

Young Tree - Nitrogen is necessary for rapid tree growth and is the only soil-applied nutrient that most pecan trees ever need. It is important to apply nitrogen in frequent small amounts during the first few years.

Spread fertilizer on the soil surface, under the tree, but well away from the trunk. Nitrogen fertilizers are very soluble and are readily moved into the soil by watering.

It is inefficient and unnecessary to make holes around the tree to pour the fertilizer into the ground. If the trees are not making rapid growth, do not fertilize the first year. Poor growth by a first-year tree usually indicates problems other than lack of nutrition, and fertilizer may hinder rather than help the tree. Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) and ammonium nitrate (33-0-0) are common, economical nitrogen fertilizers that can be used.

Table 1 gives guidelines for determining how much fertilizer to apply and when. Freeze damage is very common on young pecan trees fertilized after the month of June, so do not fertilize after this date. growing in home lawns.

Mature Trees - Apply 1 pound (2 cups) of 21-0-0 or 33-0-0 for each inch of trunk diameter in late March before bud break. If the tree produces a very heavy nut set in May, make a second application in late May or early June. Apply the fertilizer broadcast on the surface starting 3 to 5 feet from the trunk and extending out a few feet past the tree canopy. Water the fertilizer into the soil promptly.

Cross Timbers Land Management Symposium

This program will focus on understanding native and improved rangeland grasses and management. The program will be Friday, April 30th from 8:30 until 11:00 at the Foster’s Home Grubbs Center, 1779 N. Graham St., Stephenville, TX 76401. We have Dr. Ricky Linex retired NRCS Wildlife Biologist talking about native grasses and forbs and introduced rangeland grasses. Dr. Morgan Treadwell Extension Range Specialist will talk about weed control options on rangeland. There will be 2 CEU’s, 1 general and 1 IPM offered. There is a $10.00 fee for the program.