Before planting a pecan tree, check with your local nursery to discover which variety of pecan tree will grow in your region, and the planting season for your climate zone. In some areas, such as in New Mexico, February is considered an ideal month to plant a pecan tree. To ensure pollination, the New Mexico State University, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences recommends planting at least two varieties. Choose a tree with numerous lateral roots (the size of a pencil) growing along a strong taproot.
Instructions
1. Dig a hole approximately 3 feet by 3 feet, and 3-4 feet deep. Ideally you want to do this before you bring the tree home from the nursery, to speed up the planting process and increase the survival probability. It is important to keep the roots moist and out of the sun and wind prior to planting. The final hole should accommodate a young tree's roots at a normal spread, allowing for the bud union to fall about 4-inches above the ground level.
2. Increase the depth of the hole by about 18 inches deeper than the tree root, if you are planting in a heavy soil. Right before planting the tree you will need to backfill to the desired depth.
3. Remove the packing material from around the roots of the tree (assuming they have arrived from the nursery with packing around the roots).
4. Soak the tree roots for about one hour in water before planting.
5. Position the tree in the hole so that the soil level is about 2 inches higher than how the tree was planted at the nursery. This can be judged by looking at the difference in bark color around the soil line. Ultimately you want the tree to be at the same level as it was planted in the nursery, but the soil will settle after it is planted, therefore the tree should be planted a few inches deeper than the ultimate goal.
6. Fill in half the hole. First spread the lateral roots and then add topsoil. The lateral roots should not be pushed against the tap root. Add a bushel of peat moss or leaf mold to the soil if it is sandy or has lots of clay.
7. Add 5 gallons of water to the hole. This will help settle the soil. Allow water to settle.
8. Fill in the soil with more topsoil, up to 6 inches from the soil line.
9. Lightly water the hole. Allow water to settle, and then fill the rest of the hole with loose topsoil.
10. Form a basin around the tree with soil, large enough to hold about 10 gallons of water.
Tags: lateral roots, about inches, Allow water, Allow water settle, around roots, deeper than