Pecans are a highly sought-after crop. They can be used for a wide variety of uses and people absolutely love them. This leads many people to consider the possibility of opening their own pecan business. And what do you need if you want to sell pecans?
A farm.
Pecan farms have a lot of considerations that need to be taken into account in order to get the most from your trees. The first is that you are going to have to live in an area that is hospitable to pecan trees. The pecan tree is a fairly resilient tree, but it needs specific conditions in order to meet the level of production you want in a pecan farm. Read more about what a pecan tree needs here.
Are you confident that you live in an appropriate climate? Well then continue reading to learn more about the factors you will need to consider to start a pecan farm of your very own.
Healthy Soil
Your wholesale pecan trees need to put down sturdy and healthy roots. Poor drainage can have negative effects on both root growth and the subsequent productivity of the tree. Pecan tree roots generally occupy the top 18 inches of soil. They can have a long reach, though, and spread beyond the extent of the canopy.
Fertile soil will give your pecan trees the best chance at survival. It should have adequate drainage for when the rains are heavy but still be able to hold water in other times. A clay subsoil will help hold water without drowning the roots when the water is excessive. Light-textured soils will need irrigation to consistently produce pecans.
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Prepare Land
A lot of preparation is often needed to create the proper conditions for pecan tree growth. All existing trees and brush will need to be cleared. This includes removing weeds from the areas that will host trees.
The earth itself will need to be leveled to avoid pooling water that could potentially drown trees. The levelling will also improve the conditions needed for equipment when it comes time to harvest the pecans.
Areas known to pool will also need improvements for drainage. Ditches can occasionally be dug to accomplish this. Introducing french drains can also help keep areas from flooding.
Proper Arrangement
Pecan trees require specific placement in order to ensure proper pollination. Each tree will also need a certain amount of space to account for the growth of their canopy as well as the spread of the root system. The most common pattern of arrangement for pecan trees is a square lot with equal rows of planted trees.
The pecan trees planted near each other should be arranged by their type. Pecan trees are separated into two types. Type I pecan trees release pollen from the catkins, but the nut clusters don’t become receptive until later. Type II pecan trees become receptive to the pollen before the catkins release the pollen.
Planting Trees
Planting your wholesale pecan trees from nuts can be done, but it is not recommended. It takes a long time for pecan trees to reach maturity and begin bearing nuts. The best option is to purchase wholesale bareroot pecan trees to speed along the process.
Trees should be planted during the dormant season. This is generally between December and March. Plant them as soon as possible once your trees arrive from the nursery. Dig a hole three to four feet deep to accommodate the taproot. Moisten the roots and try to place them as deep as they were at the nursery. Planting too deep can cause the roots to die. Pour some water in the hole and then fill it with dirt.
Irrigation Capabilities
Wholesale pecan trees need a lot of water. You need to be set up to provide them with the moisture they need when they’re not able to get it from rain. This can be accomplished with a sprinkler, although this is not the most efficient means of doing this. Micro-irrigation or drip methods make use of pipes with small holes in them. This allows you to use less water and direct it to a more specific area.
Each tree will need 100 gallons of water per week. This is why maximizing efficiency will be a benefit in the long run.
Upkeep
The work doesn’t stop just because you have your trees planted and irrigation system running. Your soil should be tested each year and fertilized when necessary. Weeds can also be a big problem. They compete for water and light with your trees and can limit the growth of young wholesale pecan trees. You can cover the trunk of your trees with plastic sleeves and spray herbicide to get rid of pesky weeds.