Orchard Site Selection

Dead, dying or un-thrifty pecan trees in low lying areas without surface standing water suggest poor subsurface drainage.

Pecan trees will grow on many different types of soils, but they grow best on deep, well-drained, alluvial soils. Shallow, upland soils, soils that drain poorly, or very sandy soils with little water holding capacity are usually not good choices for commercial pecan production. Alluvial soils are those deposited by water over thousands of years. Accordingly, most alluvial soils occur along riverbeds. Some alluvial soils were deposited by rivers, which have long since been replaced by other topographical features. This helps explain why pecan trees can sometimes be found in native stands away from waterways. Site analysis should always begin with an evaluation of the soil and its capabilities. A good source of information is the county soil survey which is available from the county extension office or soil conservation service office. Soil surveys for many counties are now available on line. Check soil depth and layers by digging into the soil with a shovel, a posthole digger, or a back hoe. Dig several feet deep in several spots. Look for the depth to rock, the deeper the better. Look at river banks or other natural cuts through the soil to observe the soil horizons.

Click Next to continue.