Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Sunday - September 07, 2008

From: Hewitt, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Trees
Title: When is the appropriate time to prune pecan trees in Hewitt?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Labor Day Weekend my husband decided to trim all the low branches on a big pecan tree in our back yard which I thought should had been done at the first of the year, our temprature is in the mid 90's do you think the tree will be fine. Thanks , concerned wife.

ANSWER:

Give a guy a chainsaw and some time off, and no telling what might happen!

There are various opinions about the timing of pruning pecan trees, but no hard and fast rules. The principal caveat is not to take too many branches from the tree.

I've included three information sources that should prove helpful and perhaps alleviate your concerns.  
                                                                                                                              
The first is a general guide explaining the procedure and rationale for tree pruning.  

The second source describes procedures for pruning pecan trees. 

The third article from the Texas A&M Extension Service gives a lot of general information about the care and nurture of pecan trees in your back yard.

Your pecan tree should do fine providing that it wasn't severely pruned, and that you continue to give it ample water during this hot weather.

 

More Pruning Questions

Planting and care of Desert Willow in Golden Valley, AZ.
May 17, 2013 - I got a desert willow to plant in yard. Some of the leaves dried out before I could plant. Will that stop the tree from growing into a decent size tree or stay as a shrub?
view the full question and answer

Yaupon sprouts from Bennettsville SC
May 29, 2013 - I have Yaupons in a flower bed and they have too many shoots to pull up, can I spray them with roundup and not kill the bush and what strength should I use?
view the full question and answer

Rejuvenating an old Wax myrtle hedge
February 15, 2016 - I have 8 wax myrtles that were planted about 9 years ago as a screen from our neighbors. They are about 12 feet high. During the past 9 months they are getting thinner and thinner. Two of them hav...
view the full question and answer

Taking down a Century Plant blooming stalk from Fair Oaks Branch TX
August 09, 2013 - Our century cactus looks like it's in the final stages of blooming and I read on your site that the original plant dies. Can we go ahead and cut down the tall blooms?
view the full question and answer

Live oaks lifting up sidewalks in Palm Coast FL
December 12, 2013 - My live oak trees roots are lifting up my side walks. Can I cut just the roots that are causing the problem without hurting the trees? Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.