Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Friday - July 03, 2009
From: Lubbock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?ANSWER:
Well, I think this is the first time that Mr. Smarty Plants has been asked how to stop a tree from producing desirable fruit. I can find you lots of information about keeping the pecan trees healthy (fertilization, watering, protecting from insects and diseases, etc.). Here are some links to pecan tree care from Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, Alabama Pecan Growers Association, and Texas Pecan; and, I suppose if you didn't follow the guidelines for keeping your trees healthy, you might see a reduction in the size or the quality of the crop of pecans. Nut production on pecan trees (as well as other nut trees) is generally cyclical with some years producing large crops and alternate years producing very few fruits. The US Forest Service says that Carya illinoinensis (pecan) produces a good crop at intervals of 1 to 3 years. However, I don't know of any way, short of cutting it down, to completely stop the tree from producing for a season.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Dog eats Celtis laevigata, sugar hackberry
May 21, 2012 - This is an odd question but I am a biologist and have for years notice an odd behavior in my Golden Retriever. When he gets stomach distress or something makes him nervous like an incoming thunderstor...
view the full question and answer
Need a recommendation for a tree to replace an oak tree in Spring, TX.
September 08, 2009 - I recently had an oak tree removed from my yard and want to replace it with a nice tolerant shade tree. My yard measures 65x35. What are the best non-invasive shade trees to plant in my area?
view the full question and answer
Bark flaking off oaks in New Braunfels, TX
April 12, 2010 - We have several large clusters of oak trees. Some of the trees are losing their bark. The bark is flaking off in fairly large pieces; even on some of the trees that are leafing out. Is this a result o...
view the full question and answer
Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX.
July 16, 2012 - I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t...
view the full question and answer
Oaks at Wildflower Center from Wimberley TX
September 05, 2012 - I know you have numerous Quercus fusiformis examples at the ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. My question is, do you also have Quercus virginiana growing there?
Also, is Oak Wilt a disease that ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |