a strip may be left for the trees, gradually widening the tree rows as 
the trees grow. Pecan growing can be a profitable, permanent busi- 
ness, and a farmer can ‘“‘grow into it’? with a very small loss of land 
while the trees are reaching commercial productivity. Large pecan 
orchards can be handled with a minimum of labor and expense by 
use of machinery to cultivate and to aid in harvesting the crops of 
nuts. We often shake down 1,000 to 4,000 lbs. of pecans per day 
with our tractor-operated “pecan tree shaker’. All orchard acreage 
may be well utilized for winter grazing to excellent advantage by 
proper use of legumes and grasses. And pecan trees may be planted 
in permanent pasture, if soil moisture is sufficient, provided they are 
temporarily shielded from stock the first few years. 
ADAPTATION as a shade tree is practically universal throughout 
the U.S., but for production of nuts the pecan tree requires temperate 
to warm climate and fairly long growing season with medium rain- 
fall. Generally, it can be said that it will produce nuts in Tex., Okla., 
Ky., W. Va., Ark., Md., and states southward and westward, includ- 
ing’ VameN: GA S4C.* Garand id: 
SOILS best suited are mildly acid, fertile, fairly well-drained, high 
in organic content (gray, dark, or chocolate-colored topsoil) and un- 
derlaid with clay subsoil. Generally, good cotton land will produce 
good pecans. Avoid sandy soils with no “‘bottom” (clay subsoil) ; also 
avoid gummy, low-lying lands usually under water or continually bog- 
gy, where water table comes nearer than 30” to top of soil; and 
avoid ‘“new-ground” for first few years after clearing on account of 
termites or “‘root-lice”’. Apply little or no lime, so that pH is kept 
to 6.0 or less, to avoid “rosette” or zinc starvation symptoms. Pecans 
are close kin to hickories and “pig-nuts” or swamp pecans, and where 
these thrive, pecans can usually be grown successfully. They are na- 
tive to the “‘second bottoms” of the Lower Mississippi and its tribu- 
taries, on lands that are subject to occasional overflow. 
PREPARATION FOR PLANTING. IN HOME PLANTINGS, where 
shade is of equal or greater importance than fruit production, trees 
may be spaced 25 or 30 ft. apart. Care should be taken to avoid 
planting near large trees or large growing shrubs, which might sap 
most of soil moisture from the young trees. Also, pecans demand a 
great deal of sunlight for proper development and regular produc- 
tion. Some excellent locations around the homesite are: in front of 
the home, on either or both sides of walk; near the drive, affording 
pleasant parking shade in summer; near the western side of the home; 
in dog-yards, chicken-yards, or spaced throughout gardens. Flower- 
beds may be planted around the bases of young trees if ample fertility 
and soil water are provided. 
ORCHARD SITE land should be thoroughly plowed or disked, then 
harrowed, so that there is no danger from fire, and laying out of rows 
will be much easier. Trees may be spaced at least 60 x 60 ft., which 
will take 14 trees per acre in equilateral triangles, or 12 per acre if 
planted in squares. If land is very fertile, plant 70 x 70 ft., which will 
take 10 per acre in triangles, or 9 per acre in squares. Trees may be 
planted along field or property lines, or may be aligned along both 
sides of roads or lanes. They make excellent windbreaks for large 
fields, and beautiful approaches to a homesite or other place of na- 
tural interest. If land is rolling, and terraced, trees may be planted on 
terrace beds to good advantage. 
DIG HOLES BEFORE ARRIVAL OF TREES whenever possible, so 
that they may be planted with least possible delay. Holes should be 
approximately 3 ft. deep. Width of holes depends on actual size of 
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