Many residents and properties in Georgia have a significant number of pecan trees or small backyard orchards commonly known as “backyard pecans.” While pecan trees in commercial orchards are meticulously managed, homeowners encounter challenges in applying the same level of intensive management to their backyard pecans. This guide provides essential tasks specifically designed for the care of these backyard trees.
January/February
General Orchard Upkeep
- Thin overcrowded orchards
- Clean up limbs and debris
- Service and repair equipment
Tree Maintenance
- Prune or train young trees
- Plant trees
Fertility
- Apply lime
Weed & Pest Control
- February: Set ambrosia beetle traps for trees 3 years and younger
- See UGA Extension publication C 1160, Granulate Ambrosia Beetle: Biology and Management, for information on ambrosia beetles and setting traps
March/April
General Orchard Upkeep
- Maintain the orchard as needed
Tree Maintenance
- Prune or train trees
Fertility
- Apply 12.5 lb of 10-10-10 fertilizer per tree (this is the first of two applications you’ll make during the growing season for a total of 25 lb per tree per year)
- Apply 4 lb of zinc sulfate per tree, or according to soil sample results
Weed & Pest Control
- Apply herbicide as needed to reduce weeds
- Scout for pecan budmoth at budbreak on trees 1 and 2 years old, treat with insecticide
May/June
General Orchard Upkeep
- Maintain the orchard as needed
- Mow the orchard regularly
Tree Maintenance
- First & second nut drop
Fertility
- Apply 12.5 lb of 10-10-10 fertilizer per tree (this is the second and final fertilizer application you’ll make during the growing season)
Weeds/Pest
- Drench imidacloprid around the base of mature trees for aphids
July/August
General Orchard Upkeep
- Keep the orchard mowed
Tree Maintenance
- Third nut drop
Fertility
- Take and submit leaf tissue samples for analysis
- Sample 50 middle-pair leaves throughout the orchard between July 7 and August 7
Weed & Pest
- Check traps for pecan weevil during the first week of August in mature trees
- If present, apply insecticide to the ground and base of the tree
September/October
General Orchard Upkeep
- Prepare for and start the harvest
- Start early harvest
- Market pecan crop
Weed & Pest
- Apply herbicides to clean up the orchard floor
November/December
General Orchard Upkeep
- Harvest the crop frequently
- Market pecan crop
- Thin overcrowded orchards
- Clean up limbs and debris
- Service and repair equipment
Tree Maintenance
- December: Site preparation for new plantings
Fertility
- Take soil samples
- December: apply lime and zinc if needed
Additional Resources
UGA Pecans website: https://pecans.uga.edu/
UGA Pecan Blog: https://site.extension.uga.edu/pecan/
