FAQ Pecans, Those frequently asked questions that help you to be successful with your trees.
- How far apart do I plant my trees? Trees planted too closely will begin to crowd one another sooner than you think. 40′ apart is about a minimum spacing. They can be much farther apart. One in the front yard and one in the back yard still works out to 200′ or so.
- How big will my pecan trees get? Very big over time. They will grow to be a very large shade tree. Old trees can reach 100′ tall and 60′ wide in their old age.
- How long until I get nuts? The general rule for grafted trees is 5 to 7 years for the first few nuts. For seedling trees, 15 to 20 years for nuts of unknown quality or size. For your grafted trees, they start slow but increase nut production geometrically until full production in about 20 years. Full production can be between 50 and 100 pounds per year per tree.
- Do I need two trees to get pecans? Yes, you need two different kinds of pecan trees to get pecans. The basics are you will need a type 1 and a type 2 pecan tree to get the nuts pollinated. Types are defined next.
- What does a type 1 and a type 2 tree mean? Pecan trees have male and female flowers on the same tree but they are not open at the same time to prevent self pollination. Type 1, the male flowers release pollen before the female flowers are receptive. Type 2 the female flowers are receptive before the male flowers release their pollen. Not every type 1 works with every type 2.
- What pecans are best for my zone? Because the geography of each state is so varied, recommendations are best broken down to the various parts of each state. Since pecans grow well in so many states, we have made a separate post to answer this question What pecan trees grow best where I live?
- How do I take care of my new tree? Planting instructions are included with each order. Water enough but not too much. Protect the young trees from deer, rabbits and weedeaters. Mulch is good as long as it is not piled against the trunk. Fertilize on top of the ground not in the hole. If you plant in fall and severe cold is forecast, a deep straw or leaf mulch 3 or 4 feet around the tree can help keep the roots from freezing that first year.
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