Nursery for pecans

[Chuck52]

I've had questions before about raising pecans, and got some good info, so here we go again.

I'm in the middle of Missouri, and the southern pecan species typically do not do well here, so I have planted some of the hardier northern varieties, trying to pick those which make decent sized nuts. I have so far planted two each of Pawnee and Peruque and one Colby. There are several native pecan trees on my property, and though they make only a few very small nuts at most, they should serve to help with pollination, I would think.

This year, for the first time, the state conservation nursery is offering named varieties of seedling pecans. I just ordered a bundle with ten each of Mullahy, Colby, and Posey, and five Peruque. I am aware that as seedlings these trees are likely not to all produce true to type, but at $21 for 35 seedlings it was too good to pass up.

My problem is that with the deer population in this area, no tree is safe. The grafted trees I have planted are all protected with fence circles, and after three years are getting to a size where they might withstand some browsing, though I will still have to worry about stags rubbing the trunks after I take down the fence circles. Thirty five trees is way too many to fence individually, and as they are small seedlings, it is unlikely they will all do well anyway. So, I'm thinking of making a kind of fenced nursey area where I can plant the seedlings fairly close together and let them grow for a few years before transplanting them. I have a suitable area, and I can fence it to keep the deer out at a reasonaable expense, but I don't know how I should prepare the dirt. In the nurserys I've visited there seem to be two systems: Near the "shop" trees meant to be sold fairly soon are planted in what looks like a highly amended soil with lots of loose organic material; field grown trees planted for the long term are just planted in the field with spacing such that they can be worked easily. I'm thinking of something like the former. That is, I can dig trenches and fill with lots of compost for planting the seedlings in. I'd make the planting medium similar to the "dirt" potted trees come in. I'd have to plant the trees fairly close together to keep the space within reason, and to make care of the seedlings easier, and eventual digging for transplant possible without special tools.

Does any of that make sense? Anyone have experience with caring for nursery trees?

Chuck

 

[KentT]

To play Devil's Advocate, at that cost have you considered just planting them in their permanent location, putting a wrap around the trunk, and just taking your chances? If you lose half of them, you still have a bargain.

If you have to invest a lot of time and money just to protect them, IMO they're no longer a bargain... especially since they're shocked each time they're transplanted, which delays production and growth.

 

[JazzDad]

Here's a possible down-side to the transplant later idea: Pecans set a deep tap root very early on. I think you would have a difficult time digging them out. Not quite true, but I like to imagine that what you see on top of the ground- there is a mirror image under the ground (without the leaves). So, a 24" tall tree could have a 24" deep tap root.
I have the same problem with trees at my place; if they're not fenced, the deer eat them or rub the bark off and kill them. Then there's the problem of watering them until they are established, then... gee, why do I plant these stinkin' trees?

 

[Chuck52]

Both of you have good points, but for reference:

In the past, I planted about 50 each of black walnut and pecan seedlings in my fields. None, repeat, none survived a year of deer. The only trees I have planted which are still around are individually fenced.

I am aware of the problems in transplanting pecans, but it clearly can be done with some success, if only with potted trees. The five pecans I have now were all bought from the Forest Keeling nursery. They were grown in the elongated plastic pots with open bottoms, which supposedly results in good root formation because of "air pruning" of the roots which grow out the bottom of the pots. Those pots are about 4-5 inches square at the tops, about 12 inches deep, and taper. I'd go that route, i.e. plant the seedlings in such pots, but I'd have to protect them from freezing in the winter, and keeping them watered during the hot summer months would also be more of a problem. I was hoping someone might have experience with what kind of soil I might be able to plant them in to facilitate transplanting. I've considered potting them and sinking the pots in the ground. Seems like that might work, though the roots would grow out the bottom of the pots, too.

Thanks for thinking about it.

Chuck