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
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - December 24, 2008

From: Richland, IN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Underdeveloped pecan kernels with brown spots
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

our pecan tree was loaded this year. it is a soft shell . some of the pecan meats are not fully developed and have small dark spots on them. could this be a blyte of somekind and if so what can we do to correct this. we live in Southern Indiana

ANSWER:

Your description sounds like damage from sucking insects, the stink bugs (Family Pentatomidae) and leaffooted bugs (Family Coreidae).  Here is information from Louisiana State University and from University of Florida Extension Service about these insect pests that feed on the pecans and cause black (black pit) or brown (kernel spot) spots in the pecan meats. I suggest you contact your county office of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service for advice on current methods for controlling these insects.

Here is more information about diseases of Carya illinoinensis (pecan) from the Alabama Pecan Growers Association, Pecan Production Guidelines for Small Orchards and Home Yards from Arizona Cooperative Extension and a Field Key to Larvae in Pecans from Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

 

More Trees Questions

Problems with volunteer tree in Joshua TX
February 15, 2012 - I have a 'volunteer' tree which has been in our back yard for about 15 years. It has had the usual traumas, ie. lots of snow, ice, etc. but after last years drought, its bark is coming off and sev...
view the full question and answer

Should a mustang grape be left near live oak in Austin?
July 17, 2009 - I recently removed a huge mass of jasmine from a clump of live oaks. Inside I found a very large (12' long) exposed root of a mustang grape. I'd like to trim it back to the original clump and reta...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Pacific dogwood
November 21, 2015 - When do I plant Pacific dogwood seeds? How deep and far apart should they be planted? The elevation will be around 5k.
view the full question and answer

Identity of fragrant oak-like leaves used at funeral
October 14, 2012 - In the early 1950's I attended my grandmother's funeral in the Southern West Virginia area. At the gravesite, the funeral home had provided what looked like dried oak leaves, (red brown and gold col...
view the full question and answer

Is it normal for the bark to fall off an oak tree in Austin, TX
May 02, 2013 - Is it normal for live oak bark to fall off when touched? I am afraid to get near them?
view the full question and answer

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