How to Grow a Pecan Tree

When to Plant Pecans

Pecan trees should be planted as soon as possible after you get them home, whether bare root or container stock. The time of year will vary based on your climate but aim to plant in late winter or early spring when your tree is still dormant to reduce transplant shock.  

Where to Plant Pecans

Select a site with full sun, at least 8 hours daily, and well-drained, deep soil. Avoid areas where water collects. While they like moisture, they don’t like permanently wet feet.

Pecan trees can be deceiving, and the temptation to plant them too closely together can be intense. As skinny four-foot tall sticks, it might seem that a 10-15 foot spacing is enough. However, remember these trees will eventually be taller than the house and can reach 50 feet wide when grown in the open. They are genuinely massive trees.  

Give them enough space so they won’t be crowded together when they’re larger. While it may seem excessive at planting time, pecans for backyard plantings should be spaced 60-80 feet apart. 

How to Plant Pecans

Pecans have a taproot, and bare root trees may come with quite a long root pack. Avoid doubling over or bending the taproot. You’ll need to dig deep enough to plant it straight. 

Most pecans sold today are grafted onto rootstocks. When planting, you’ll need to keep the graft union about two inches above the soil level. 

• Remove all sod from the area.
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to avoid bending over the taproot. 
• Remove the tree from its container (if applicable) and prune twisted, broken, and girdling roots. 
• Test fit the pecan in the hole. Check for depth and ensure no roots are bent over or circling in the hole. Enlarge the hole if necessary. Pay attention to the graft union.
• Backfill the hole with the soil you removed, ensuring the tree is kept vertical while filling. Stop when the hole is filled halfway and tamp the soil firmly around the roots to remove air pockets, then provide a good drink of water. Continue filling the soil around the roots and firming it with your hands.
• Create a shallow berm around the tree about a foot from the trunk to help water infiltrate.
• Mulch around the tree, about 3-4 inches thick. Spread the mulch evenly in a circle extending 2-3 feet from the trunk. Don’t allow the mulch to touch the trunk–keep an inch or two of separation. The mulch should be evenly thick, not heaped in a pile.
• After planting, cut back the central leader by about a third to encourage better form. The cluster of terminal buds at the end of the leader will result in an overly branchy and weak structure later on.