Water - a controlling factor for a pecan orchard

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

April 8, 2004 -- Proper water management is very important for pecan growers to remember, especially when they want to improve pecan production, quantity, and quality. At the Central Texas Pecan Shortcourse, which was held March 30 in Goldthwaite, Dr. Larry Stein discussed with growers how proper water management can help pecans grow to their potential.

Stein explained that water management is only one part of the pecan management puzzle when it comes to growing good pecans. "One thing you must know is the importance of water as part of the total pecan program."

He recommended eight to ten gallons a minute per acre of trees when a grower wants to plant or irrigate their trees. "Another very important process is monitoring the leaves to determine how much water a tree uses. If you want to reduce the amount of water, take some of the leaves off. But when you take away leaves, you lessen the amount of production because you need leaves for production."

When planting pecan tress for the first time, Stein stated that a drip irrigation system is not a good system to use. "These first-time trees must be watered very very well.

"But it's also important not to overwater your trees. When you plant a tree, wait for the new tips to grow. Plant your tree and then forget it for awhile." He added that many people mistake overwatering for not watering enough, because the symptoms are the same. The grower then tries to water the tree even more, which eventually will kill the tree.

"If you want to grow trees fast, then you must have a good water source," he said. "If you have a good water system in place and good soil, then you can grow good trees fast. You can do it, but remember that you must take care of them." Stein stated that the key is to manipulate the water supply.

Stein suggested that a grower become a certain kind of pecan variety grower because different varieties have different water needs.

"Also know that each soil type has a different water holding capacity. You can learn about each type of soil by reading the Texas Pecan Handbook," Stein explained.

"Once you find how much water each soil type can hold and how much water a type of pecan tree needs, you can then figure out which irrigation system works best for you. Remember, a way to determine the amount of water a tree needs is to use - look at its leaves."

Stein said that in an orchard there is a spot where certain trees are not doing well. "You need to go into your orchard, shake the pecans off that tree, and eliminate it because it will never produce. Use the water on more productive trees.

"Another problem is tree crowding. You can stretch your water supply by taking trees out. Also look at weed control. Weeds and grasses get a tremendous amount of water. If you remove weeds, then that water can go to the trees."