As a huge fan of pecan pie, this is about the time of year I kick myself in the hiney for not growing pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) — and for not encouraging you to learn about pecan tree care.

One would think that the price of pecans at the supermarket is reason enough to plant a tree, but by the time January or February rolls around (the best time to plant), I’ve forgotten the expense and, thus, my promise to never have to shop for those $13 to $15 per pound pecans again.

If you’ll be planting a pecan tree this late winter or very early spring, we have some tips for you.

Planting pecan trees

Success with growing pecan trees starts with correct planting.

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.

When planting more than one pecan tree, space them 60 to 80 feet apart. Growing pecan trees need as much sunshine as you can provide, so ensure no buildings or other trees cast a shadow over the planting area.

Remove all weeds from within a 6-foot radius of the pecan tree planting site. Especially in areas with hot summers, the pecan tree can’t compete with weeds for water and nutrients.

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Dig the hole deep enough so that the “… flared base of the tree, just above the roots, will be visible above ground after planting,” suggest the experts at Clemson University.

The width of the hole should be three times the width of the root ball.

As you backfill the hole, stop periodically and fill the hole with water. As it drains, it will remove air pockets. Shovel more soil into the hole and repeat the procedure. After planting, walk firmly around the tree to ensure there’s no air trapped in the soil (it will dry out the roots).

“Then construct a basin around the tree 2 or 3 feet in diameter and 6 to 12 inches deep,” suggests Robert F. Polomski, PhD, Associate Extension Specialist, Clemson University. The basin should be placed at the tree’s dripline and be moved out as it grows.

“Ideally, this constructed reservoir should hold 10 to 15 gallons of water at each watering,” he concludes.

Caring for your newly-planted pecan tree

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. Yes, it is a lot of water. But it gets worse.

Fertilize the newly planted tree in June. Use 1 cup of ammonium sulfate fertilizer (21-0-0) for each inch of trunk diameter. Sprinkle it on the soil beneath the tree, 1 foot from the trunk, and use a rake to spread it out to the dripline. Water the soil after fertilizing so that the product will soak down to the tree’s roots.

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Ongoing pecan tree care

Getting the watering routine down is critical if you hope to have a good pecan harvest. Young pecan trees need one gallon of water per day.  At three years of age, apply three gallons per day, doubled to six gallons during the summer’s hottest months. The following year, when the pecan tree is four years old, ensure that it gets eight gallons of water a day.

Regardless of age, if the temperatures climb to more than 95 degrees F, double the amount of water during that time.

Not only is the amount of water important, but how and where you apply it is as well. For instance, by the time your pecan tree reaches seven years of age, you’ll need to “… keep the area beneath the canopy of the tree wet up to a depth of three to four feet,” according to Kristin Millican with Millican Pecan.

She has written a brilliant blog post about watering pecan trees that I highly recommend. You can find it at millicanpecan.com.

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.

Fertilize the pecan tree in April, May and June by applying the same 21-0-0 fertilizer, at the same rate as you did the young tree.

Spray the pecan tree with zinc sulfate every two weeks from April through August. Add 2 to 4 teaspoons of liquid zinc to a gallon of water and spray the pecan tree’s foliage until it is drenched. If you don’t have a sprayer, you’ll find one at Amazon.com.

Learn more about pecan trees, especially those that are dropping nuts, here.

Happy baking!

Mention of a fertilizer or pesticide, or use of a pesticide or fertilizer label, is for educational purposes only. Always follow the product’s label directions attached to the container you are using. Be sure that the plant you wish to treat is listed on the label of the pesticide you intend to use. If growing edibles, check the label for the number of days between pesticide application and when you can re-enter the area and/or harvest your crop.