tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44849294643397121462024-02-18T21:01:12.140-06:00Northern PecansObservations on growing pecans in Kansas and across middle AmericaWilliam Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11534180011653381176noreply@blogger.comBlogger947125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-66530916480430669472024-02-05T20:54:00.000-06:002024-02-05T20:54:18.300-06:00Inspecting my scionwood crop<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPpwPwzny3O3PurZ-CJ_iMm1x6wTxiBqtwz7SgDn3TpsSYTbWbKEw-u1SlpntRbs_aX8Q3oB4rmvKK5XRKwnGxFipFX7yoCsIKoV2g_qLRGv0q_QIjjj7YDQn0fKx7rzWG-ALcJXmOHdhmPATl1ei7eTyP0Fr1uiym_QYd6Bo47J2eAGAC2jDVU7R_cVG/s3008/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPpwPwzny3O3PurZ-CJ_iMm1x6wTxiBqtwz7SgDn3TpsSYTbWbKEw-u1SlpntRbs_aX8Q3oB4rmvKK5XRKwnGxFipFX7yoCsIKoV2g_qLRGv0q_QIjjj7YDQn0fKx7rzWG-ALcJXmOHdhmPATl1ei7eTyP0Fr1uiym_QYd6Bo47J2eAGAC2jDVU7R_cVG/w368-h553/DSC_0001.JPG" width="368" /></a></div> Today's bright sunshine and cloudless sky provided me with a great opportunity to photograph my pecan scionwood crop (photo at right). I've been harvesting scions from these same trees for over 6 years now and you can easily see how the heavy annual pruning has changed the pattern of pecan tree growth.<p></p><p> Note the cluster of leaves trapped up in each tree. As leaves fell from the tree last Fall, many of those leaves became lodged in the profusion of branches that sprouted near the pruning cuts I made last season. In a few weeks time, I'll be removing all the one-year-old shoots from these trees allowing all the dead leaves to fall to the ground. After pruning my scionwood trees will look barren and naked. <br /></p><p> However, severe pruning is necessary to stimulate the growth of abundant and vigorous shoots each summer. As you can see in the photo the shoots produced by this method are long, straight, and have large, healthy buds spaced widely apart on the stem. These one-year-old shoots are easy to carve and make strong healthy scions.</p><p> Clicking of "Pecan Scionwood 2024" on the mast head will take you to my pecan scionwood order page. Hopefully, the days of severe drought are behind us and the 2024 grafting season will provide the perfect opportunity to propagate some new pecan trees. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /> </p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-53037863219940414692024-01-20T21:12:00.001-06:002024-01-20T21:12:53.288-06:00Thinning trees to maximize light penetration and remove problems <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LHgOVOZ9oERkAlJoGFeRuhoxfccIwMnR5W_7CCW84uZONcl2VAPSAiDy4QBOK0R5312GpLSL9WYQ6NfMtrBGhiydF8FmbO3zzbpgDjh4PTkFsYTz20vd2uM4kdJhYJJDAt29I5LO7cGG0AJGRmdNtozMIVLfQx0TGoCoWPJCDs5evY1rUhwRsCxI1sD8/s3008/DSC_0001.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LHgOVOZ9oERkAlJoGFeRuhoxfccIwMnR5W_7CCW84uZONcl2VAPSAiDy4QBOK0R5312GpLSL9WYQ6NfMtrBGhiydF8FmbO3zzbpgDjh4PTkFsYTz20vd2uM4kdJhYJJDAt29I5LO7cGG0AJGRmdNtozMIVLfQx0TGoCoWPJCDs5evY1rUhwRsCxI1sD8/w377-h251/DSC_0001.JPG" width="377" /></a></div> All summer long I take mental notes on tree spacing within my orchard. This past summer, I noticed several areas in my pecan breeding block that were becoming crowded. Limbs of adjacent trees were nearly touching. Sunlight penetration into each and every tree canopy is critical for maximum nut production, so it was time to break out the chainsaw (photo above). <p></p><p> As you can see in the photo, I attach a couple of special implements on my tractor during the tree removal operation. On the tractor's front loader, I attach a hydraulic grapple to pick up the downed limbs and trunk. On the tractor's 3-point-hitch I've mounted a large tool box. The bottom of the tool box is lined with paving stones to provide sufficient weight to counter balance the pecan logs I lift with the grapple. Above the stones, I have plenty of room to carry 2 chainsaws, fuel, bar oil and tools for chainsaw maintenance.</p><p> When removing trees of this size (about 12 inches dbh), I always notch the trunk at a comfortable height so I can control the direction of tree fall. Once the tree is down, I'll cut the trunk off at ground level. Stump grinding comes later with a different implement and a different tractor.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlMfEn6aogXRGM-P2rUTcpGbRh9pkfdaleV3R77eOs2IhOW4XLjLKVgW8tr_vZJlYIOY__TpegfJVn4XwZt2Cgb69-INSQGZZX_07olbhkYC3DuBAyIQUZMcsefiJ8Kr_MO7pR9mm8g_VXVEBnzTWsYJTW1OWH99ajLHwo95zGwCrfZXto1oMJLJRW6Vt/s3008/KT772%20overloaded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlMfEn6aogXRGM-P2rUTcpGbRh9pkfdaleV3R77eOs2IhOW4XLjLKVgW8tr_vZJlYIOY__TpegfJVn4XwZt2Cgb69-INSQGZZX_07olbhkYC3DuBAyIQUZMcsefiJ8Kr_MO7pR9mm8g_VXVEBnzTWsYJTW1OWH99ajLHwo95zGwCrfZXto1oMJLJRW6Vt/w270-h406/KT772%20overloaded.JPG" width="270" /></a></div> This winter I also removed one of my problem trees. Tree number KT772 is a open pollinated seedling of Pawnee. As I young tree, I could forgive the scab susceptibility of this seedling (scabs about the same as Pawnee) because the nuts were large, thin-shelled, and good quality. However, like its Pawnee parent this tree started into alternate bearing at a fairly young age. In 2023, KT772 was the only tree in my orchard to set an excessive crop load. Note in the photo at left, all the limbs are drooping under the weight of nuts. By October, several limbs had snapped and fallen to the ground.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9t_XgvAhddTrDQEjCal8O1ptkAPQhLUIKHMW2qa5gPwMRfHcZ6PgUvPNUQEt-v8_A7QSEaKTF_QCGhywjjbtKvseavX1w1b9Dw5aBeqlpXhGejACTwpzmlOrv3R4ehAMvYxNwN5y3PmyaGrgGGtSndTKDcHbl16Rpeb_XGe3HdbR5dJlSawICzMYfS0p/s1564/KT772%20not%20split.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1564" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9t_XgvAhddTrDQEjCal8O1ptkAPQhLUIKHMW2qa5gPwMRfHcZ6PgUvPNUQEt-v8_A7QSEaKTF_QCGhywjjbtKvseavX1w1b9Dw5aBeqlpXhGejACTwpzmlOrv3R4ehAMvYxNwN5y3PmyaGrgGGtSndTKDcHbl16Rpeb_XGe3HdbR5dJlSawICzMYfS0p/s320/KT772%20not%20split.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> In previous years, KT772 ripened around October 7. However this year, the shucks on this tree never opened (photo at right) and were frozen tight on the nut shell following the 1st fall freeze.<br /><p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTxRf_eq3YzfSZTgMfXIiscsztzLMfGGp1dptdSpy5HQ_1bu4ApqQvvjGyGncY3vlj73Sn1MI3E9Ul5Q32VAYZjSMW3ViPnr9bZtXnWi3X5TUnlbG8Ow_Dyqn9W87AThF4QraX1uf8cZcO3QjE4iwXwRz7dwginoT9z58I_YvpiJSeYoddOR5LTUTl8lM/s1669/KT772%20poor%20kernel%20fill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1669" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTxRf_eq3YzfSZTgMfXIiscsztzLMfGGp1dptdSpy5HQ_1bu4ApqQvvjGyGncY3vlj73Sn1MI3E9Ul5Q32VAYZjSMW3ViPnr9bZtXnWi3X5TUnlbG8Ow_Dyqn9W87AThF4QraX1uf8cZcO3QjE4iwXwRz7dwginoT9z58I_YvpiJSeYoddOR5LTUTl8lM/s320/KT772%20poor%20kernel%20fill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Late in the fall I broke open a KT772 nut and found extremely poor kernel filling. Shuck split in pecan is promoted by plant growth regulators stimulated by fully formed kernels. Without proper kernel development, shuck split is either extremely late (like the drought year of 2022) or it will never happen.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ipePfb_IL_0ZGCJBB2rabQTWBv70S4apjrqQAmS6E9uF5t2MckSE-IsubLs3-mWaDU-x3NcHfGyZRkZsyOBfpVEeKUu0HcKWFV8QdsVa229z0EDHJb__UK5j7b8YPuVmSxaqVRpVwrLk3QLuZLDSHP4xwJRoZYxfxK1yHR-HCqtgeLxbdFiR4Ug5H7T/s1888/KT772%20shell%20full%20color%20inside%20unsplit%20shuck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ipePfb_IL_0ZGCJBB2rabQTWBv70S4apjrqQAmS6E9uF5t2MckSE-IsubLs3-mWaDU-x3NcHfGyZRkZsyOBfpVEeKUu0HcKWFV8QdsVa229z0EDHJb__UK5j7b8YPuVmSxaqVRpVwrLk3QLuZLDSHP4xwJRoZYxfxK1yHR-HCqtgeLxbdFiR4Ug5H7T/s320/KT772%20shell%20full%20color%20inside%20unsplit%20shuck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Just before frost, I found that the shell of KT772 had only partially separated from the husk but the nut shell had developed its normal coloring. By the time I harvested my pecan crop, every KT772 nut was a blackened stick-tight (following 1st Fall freeze) and was totally worthless. <p></p><p> I have watched this tree long enough. So this winter KT772 was removed from my pecan breeding block.<br /> <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-50836446230395489402023-10-18T16:00:00.001-05:002023-12-21T16:39:21.232-06:00Pecan cultivars that ripened in October<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGf-vvEOkxvXPPienp9EaKWdHbp3Z3qgEgUY4-RwtaJ6ISnUOd-cgucsvPSMWBZjapoPFFW8yUvxK8gFdLCGd6kInZgsR7HyWS0zK-48cyVPbQGcJhnwNZ-K-KfXP_b9nKSkpujpV0foLeItAAwZVdcBikmVEX6ijNyJ0njiF2UscXt8M80BDKCU5qrlX/s1327/Jayhawk%204%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1315" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGf-vvEOkxvXPPienp9EaKWdHbp3Z3qgEgUY4-RwtaJ6ISnUOd-cgucsvPSMWBZjapoPFFW8yUvxK8gFdLCGd6kInZgsR7HyWS0zK-48cyVPbQGcJhnwNZ-K-KfXP_b9nKSkpujpV0foLeItAAwZVdcBikmVEX6ijNyJ0njiF2UscXt8M80BDKCU5qrlX/w383-h387/Jayhawk%204%20oct%202023.JPG" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jayhawk, 4 Oct. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> In my area of Kansas, pecan cultivars must ripen by mid-October to reliably split open their shucks before the first killing freeze in the Fall. Pictured here are some of the cultivars that ripened during the first 2 weeks of October in my orchard.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85E9Dk3bBaj0LNpExFflf0LAYFaY1S8xEl_lvVTF4kMlgfcN2SbAcI583GxlJRwlNIEJ-UFaZrg7o6f7BNiFdiitM6-MZVJvlKCaiX_0mZYBn5DSjR3eyNXFKtKyQuW-KkbOB7iGLq4T_uSknNvSeiBjYGo-v4lsVBt9DP0ZFRzEpZiX3lc7gDvstLzvD/s1741/Shepherd%206%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="1498" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85E9Dk3bBaj0LNpExFflf0LAYFaY1S8xEl_lvVTF4kMlgfcN2SbAcI583GxlJRwlNIEJ-UFaZrg7o6f7BNiFdiitM6-MZVJvlKCaiX_0mZYBn5DSjR3eyNXFKtKyQuW-KkbOB7iGLq4T_uSknNvSeiBjYGo-v4lsVBt9DP0ZFRzEpZiX3lc7gDvstLzvD/w373-h434/Shepherd%206%20oct%202023.JPG" width="373" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shepherd, 6 Oct. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FsWNO9Nj6olojgii-wjRRGR4TaX2bOkF9G9lw8g8vdACWlLUJaqiTu6jz3kzmYgdEKzXF7w94O8hQ_6d4PC_zo_87gDP50OYZiEo8h7bQuzkgx3B_VXAKsUU5vwSK7E8PczC3l0A19Cf3RjnQQFr3_Cvo5savWGTV4NeXJUl_Ob42Fa-Lei-wRdLf79X/s2092/KT330%206%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="1480" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FsWNO9Nj6olojgii-wjRRGR4TaX2bOkF9G9lw8g8vdACWlLUJaqiTu6jz3kzmYgdEKzXF7w94O8hQ_6d4PC_zo_87gDP50OYZiEo8h7bQuzkgx3B_VXAKsUU5vwSK7E8PczC3l0A19Cf3RjnQQFr3_Cvo5savWGTV4NeXJUl_Ob42Fa-Lei-wRdLf79X/w321-h454/KT330%206%20oct%202023.JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KT330, 6 Oct. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHXmiEGsaon0EnF-1su5FBr2_YHY21MNQPzn5WjuY4craF-9cZBw5Y_bo-miVhvKTji8AUz6XxYo8Y_KNg9kpI-7qtKiTZfSgeosjFeYvvF-6RsggkPmL4iTwBwlRVOQUxPmxDh_np0_RpgfjVwG6gR5PNTtC2gQGlwQhcqVDJbIgFYH8kruKKyrrZiis/s1747/KT334%20Labette%209%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1747" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHXmiEGsaon0EnF-1su5FBr2_YHY21MNQPzn5WjuY4craF-9cZBw5Y_bo-miVhvKTji8AUz6XxYo8Y_KNg9kpI-7qtKiTZfSgeosjFeYvvF-6RsggkPmL4iTwBwlRVOQUxPmxDh_np0_RpgfjVwG6gR5PNTtC2gQGlwQhcqVDJbIgFYH8kruKKyrrZiis/w393-h281/KT334%20Labette%209%20oct%202023.JPG" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Labette, 9 Oct. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqCS0xRLY5L4pec7ubDQMvw0wrEfKrXM2siFQ30GH2iWjr6MtsMiYwB1lb_N_b3Gf-ffT_rafjgrlM22aF1-QbWow5VGCdYWxpZDv0gJw-fhNVy7shoqFlgPRBaBh-bLt6vlIqPLl-9oY8tU1XDKSzttdmVpqUm_sYLiQ3h5bIf9pu3JlJz2l60bC-NNV/s1666/KT201%20st%20paul%2013%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="1612" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqCS0xRLY5L4pec7ubDQMvw0wrEfKrXM2siFQ30GH2iWjr6MtsMiYwB1lb_N_b3Gf-ffT_rafjgrlM22aF1-QbWow5VGCdYWxpZDv0gJw-fhNVy7shoqFlgPRBaBh-bLt6vlIqPLl-9oY8tU1XDKSzttdmVpqUm_sYLiQ3h5bIf9pu3JlJz2l60bC-NNV/w374-h386/KT201%20st%20paul%2013%20oct%202023.JPG" width="374" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul, 13 Oct. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Notes: </p><p> <span> </span>Jayhawk -- an open-pollinated seedling of Giles</p><p><span> </span>Shepherd -- a native seedling from Central Missouri<br /></p><p><span> KT330 -- a selection from my breeding project. The result of a cross of Pawnee and <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Greenriver.</span></p><p><span><span> </span>Labette -- tested as KT334 from my breeding project. A cross of Pawnee and Greenriver. </span><br /> </p><p><span> </span>St. Paul -- tested as KT201 from my breeding project. A cross of Pawnee and Major. <br /></p><p> <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-68463835026050193782023-10-02T21:32:00.000-05:002023-10-02T21:32:07.844-05:00Pecan cultivars continue to ripen as we head into October<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMD2Ti32sZovZ94fDRiEmEiYBbjeypZ3qyK2HxxUT4RuXnertGjBNd03CeF_puaHHdpkziDc1cCiH9fL5eRnHls6GL9HL0aj226L-joyeGYnd1cpQ2dn5-iPugZTQUnQb4s0wWP7rcPHllAxPvzW28Su2P1ZLI2FWVRoD9_-r4WtDHIpx4FLfusZQBIVl/s2596/Kanza%202%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="1834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMD2Ti32sZovZ94fDRiEmEiYBbjeypZ3qyK2HxxUT4RuXnertGjBNd03CeF_puaHHdpkziDc1cCiH9fL5eRnHls6GL9HL0aj226L-joyeGYnd1cpQ2dn5-iPugZTQUnQb4s0wWP7rcPHllAxPvzW28Su2P1ZLI2FWVRoD9_-r4WtDHIpx4FLfusZQBIVl/s320/Kanza%202%20oct%202023.JPG" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanza, 2 Oct. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> This year I recorded October 2nd as the ripening date for Kanza. My Kanza trees have produced an excellent crop this year as you can tell by the photo at right. When Kanza first splits open, the shucks hardly open up. All you will see is a slight crack between shuck quarters. During most years, it is a killing freeze that finally kills the green husk and allows Kanza nuts to fall free at tree shaking. </p><p> I found several other pecan cultivars that ripened at the same time as Kanza. Their photos appear below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGO3f_hD_QX3NKcgCk1lmsletebfPjXhOQ6fkFGKHa_zyMbEUm8ofa965xVBJ3IeilMdHJkSlfrCO7iak3s4he5iRJlmmzt0TDyj_Xkaan51g9RZ6mPkZh6Nq9-F127xLDzo3wm56LVJxN0sL16f4TB6LsEXtF3xLF8_Q8018vOU3D7MoTatU2hyphenhyphenTdXMi/s1637/Hark%202%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="1594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGO3f_hD_QX3NKcgCk1lmsletebfPjXhOQ6fkFGKHa_zyMbEUm8ofa965xVBJ3IeilMdHJkSlfrCO7iak3s4he5iRJlmmzt0TDyj_Xkaan51g9RZ6mPkZh6Nq9-F127xLDzo3wm56LVJxN0sL16f4TB6LsEXtF3xLF8_Q8018vOU3D7MoTatU2hyphenhyphenTdXMi/s320/Hark%202%20oct%202023.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hark, 2 Oct. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkLR3Hcj9KvvVQRqQKmXEt77SVWfzYjURyFy7HRfnVRkHtkiUPUo9ME8SQ1KzeDbUEzeoFGL8r1YvUmEY7uOGOCKrWF2Q8J5lh2Eflzl1mnnj8uvslgj_kpDxOR64g_vjN-2P2ZJ-P0DXfnRQlcUVyUjZjfggXewVw6tqQAYRyHmHAaxX2U_FaQoMcAWN/s1477/KT149G%20Pleasanton%202%20oct%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1477" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkLR3Hcj9KvvVQRqQKmXEt77SVWfzYjURyFy7HRfnVRkHtkiUPUo9ME8SQ1KzeDbUEzeoFGL8r1YvUmEY7uOGOCKrWF2Q8J5lh2Eflzl1mnnj8uvslgj_kpDxOR64g_vjN-2P2ZJ-P0DXfnRQlcUVyUjZjfggXewVw6tqQAYRyHmHAaxX2U_FaQoMcAWN/s320/KT149G%20Pleasanton%202%20oct%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleasanton, 2 Oct. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT1R4xcxxgsDg1ZZAaYwVqvoupjO22Phtye5n_yaKsDchrXb3pn4wL7EZQzLIyqVI50ra7ekTh5jO0FodM7q2XfgoEPg2bzUIaQ_6uwO4A057Z6wm2tNRUus51HfeNRuLSeHyh15IEamNFGTyaJSULIoe1_khM2MjjgjNWrc29LMBW0ivMht7sdl3US_v/s1720/Yates%2068%2029%20sept%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT1R4xcxxgsDg1ZZAaYwVqvoupjO22Phtye5n_yaKsDchrXb3pn4wL7EZQzLIyqVI50ra7ekTh5jO0FodM7q2XfgoEPg2bzUIaQ_6uwO4A057Z6wm2tNRUus51HfeNRuLSeHyh15IEamNFGTyaJSULIoe1_khM2MjjgjNWrc29LMBW0ivMht7sdl3US_v/s320/Yates%2068%2029%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yates 68, 29 Sept. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-64060026441538279322023-09-27T21:24:00.001-05:002023-10-02T20:57:48.072-05:00Cultivars that ripen on the same day as Pawnee<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz6yi07tyTDDwtnbOOgpUjFjDnE6IMh61vceOVbIQ1nny2TkX1UB4FwVCparOLGgFEKJB71lpWDTwLsMqCyprO9SaukBeTmLa7jjhfn2Hdtdnl1cnibJc-t1N-CPPYpkKpg3oCa9Djn7BV8jT4K5kE2SPaSSlmjchBz32zdjXmgxZpYIrSq7XpdcNbiiD/s1660/Pawnee%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="1624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz6yi07tyTDDwtnbOOgpUjFjDnE6IMh61vceOVbIQ1nny2TkX1UB4FwVCparOLGgFEKJB71lpWDTwLsMqCyprO9SaukBeTmLa7jjhfn2Hdtdnl1cnibJc-t1N-CPPYpkKpg3oCa9Djn7BV8jT4K5kE2SPaSSlmjchBz32zdjXmgxZpYIrSq7XpdcNbiiD/s320/Pawnee%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pawnee, 27 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Pawnee is one of the most popular pecan cultivars adapted to short season climates (photo at right). Large nut size and early ripening are the main positive cultivar characteristics for Pawnee. Severe susceptibility to pecan scan disease is the primary production drawback.<p></p><p> Since Pawnee is so widely known by pecan growers across the nation, I think it is important to look at a few other cultivars that ripened on the same day as Pawnee (photos below) This year, my Pawnee trees split shuck on 27 Sept. 2023. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAsgBiMLOfWW5MQorttWvYEoJLf2_Kxp8hESL1ZB0ZdK1VZompCJdXFRNXxcwcazoN-5PysQNBbNEmGp5u9g5tCz8GGAXoQbxZqqAvauXX49bT41BfSsrJQQcBZAsiN9PFsDwWpklc4oCWU_CCxMBv9kk0_3WturmHmd5awa1Hh6qHMM6slwwQEBxrjh9/s1561/Gardner%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1561" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAsgBiMLOfWW5MQorttWvYEoJLf2_Kxp8hESL1ZB0ZdK1VZompCJdXFRNXxcwcazoN-5PysQNBbNEmGp5u9g5tCz8GGAXoQbxZqqAvauXX49bT41BfSsrJQQcBZAsiN9PFsDwWpklc4oCWU_CCxMBv9kk0_3WturmHmd5awa1Hh6qHMM6slwwQEBxrjh9/s320/Gardner%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardner, 27 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYENxK3I_uwr-KS5ZcxkPgt6yXBPNhia3B8ON2yrMKoLTWE3tFyFhjGPkeSkC2XCVw0NTdgUh3XnhCptbrZ8PAHZCj-WO_p3gfmCycWs1fFRiekjQDfdn5usuPWxCRbCg0ew0N1sF7g5Toi-PByuU02366pZD0PDzWsQOs3ojMmZDuD_Iw3VYBO8QhR-X/s1945/Waccamaw%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="1945" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYENxK3I_uwr-KS5ZcxkPgt6yXBPNhia3B8ON2yrMKoLTWE3tFyFhjGPkeSkC2XCVw0NTdgUh3XnhCptbrZ8PAHZCj-WO_p3gfmCycWs1fFRiekjQDfdn5usuPWxCRbCg0ew0N1sF7g5Toi-PByuU02366pZD0PDzWsQOs3ojMmZDuD_Iw3VYBO8QhR-X/s320/Waccamaw%2027%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waccamaw, 27 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Cultivar Notes:</p><p>1. Gardner was found as a chance seedling in Gardner Kansas. This cultivar is very similar in size and appearance to Pawnee but I prefer the nut quality of Gardner over Pawnee. Gardner is susceptible to pecan scab but is not as severely effected as Pawnee.</p><p>2. Waccamaw originated as a chance seedling grown in Golden City, MO. Waccamaw nuts are similar in size to Pawnee. I'm still evaluating this cultivar for its reaction to the pecan scab fungus. <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-85682153803046117062023-09-26T22:04:00.001-05:002023-09-27T20:48:04.811-05:00Pecan shuck split dates for of early ripening cultivars <p> This fall, timely rain showers have helped pop open pecan shucks on a more normal schedule. Over the past week, I've been photographing each cultivar on the day I find at least 50% of nut shucks on the tree split open. Below you will find photos of named cultivars, USDA advanced selections, and a few numbered selections from my breeding project. </p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUQmYMn1JaokDPI2vW7ElFZz4KniNtD6FzVeaVrHoWjH1FTkhfjDdvQ3OebzmVCeQLrqMyVXZAIPzIUn4OHQMEd4EUX438S_Yr80VslhPg2nFMi6B16js_GtEamg1KaVMATZSTBYxl4QrPCC82My__bVi5I8o8VoxJ3qbaZrBRfxCalGYui4ji0C1cSVu/s1681/Caney%2022%20sept%202023%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUQmYMn1JaokDPI2vW7ElFZz4KniNtD6FzVeaVrHoWjH1FTkhfjDdvQ3OebzmVCeQLrqMyVXZAIPzIUn4OHQMEd4EUX438S_Yr80VslhPg2nFMi6B16js_GtEamg1KaVMATZSTBYxl4QrPCC82My__bVi5I8o8VoxJ3qbaZrBRfxCalGYui4ji0C1cSVu/s320/Caney%2022%20sept%202023%202.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caney, 22 Sept. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuRhWIsDZ4jjTmUjjrZXNwg1PtrT9je9sFfA9ldV9Ex8txA2rx3P64TwUrX0q-WZiBvG7KWxVl3qU4pydwu_1soelcPuxQ2EeDHlmlKj6mReOPKC28yHBNjbWWnpKGGNkWyepkBcC6-bS9olMyYA-Kyc9CbtOMdOQbxa5_jj4jvDBwmm2gMEeILq21tFj/s1789/USDA%2092-2-140%2022%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="1789" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuRhWIsDZ4jjTmUjjrZXNwg1PtrT9je9sFfA9ldV9Ex8txA2rx3P64TwUrX0q-WZiBvG7KWxVl3qU4pydwu_1soelcPuxQ2EeDHlmlKj6mReOPKC28yHBNjbWWnpKGGNkWyepkBcC6-bS9olMyYA-Kyc9CbtOMdOQbxa5_jj4jvDBwmm2gMEeILq21tFj/s320/USDA%2092-2-140%2022%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USDA 92-2-148, 22 Sept. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHErczNrDeHWmta5TTEq9YGITQu0hmV0TRssOBx2cpAmwVF-ecC-aB9xd-ig74D75ABhyd8dXrmofAzdIFTdHO7qRJ7XnnKfxAg1dYgl5_poTJZLZDM5SYFCIq4HWO8IjbgInKxkjS4Svu5iRfptyWd9U9IyAgwOe3wz75Q_ZO4fD5pp_6VW9KgvxxRCV-/s1960/KT121%2022%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1960" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHErczNrDeHWmta5TTEq9YGITQu0hmV0TRssOBx2cpAmwVF-ecC-aB9xd-ig74D75ABhyd8dXrmofAzdIFTdHO7qRJ7XnnKfxAg1dYgl5_poTJZLZDM5SYFCIq4HWO8IjbgInKxkjS4Svu5iRfptyWd9U9IyAgwOe3wz75Q_ZO4fD5pp_6VW9KgvxxRCV-/s320/KT121%2022%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KT121, 22 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRugsxdLqhp4CIf0rEWpb8La1TYiZIpAy74pVRoHOFGkOkg08MQAhq92LAPeFqLi-dktksi1At8VpLioTt_qZLMVlcLYd3vovsQGKGFbMCmu3f-Bf44IGOR3p-DsFAwOTdxMAb-n9lKOk_uW_GukjlYCnSmuQs_qhERYtOrhtpz78xELtbz9VlZrhZzgX/s1687/KT316%20Liberty%2023%20sept%202023%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1687" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRugsxdLqhp4CIf0rEWpb8La1TYiZIpAy74pVRoHOFGkOkg08MQAhq92LAPeFqLi-dktksi1At8VpLioTt_qZLMVlcLYd3vovsQGKGFbMCmu3f-Bf44IGOR3p-DsFAwOTdxMAb-n9lKOk_uW_GukjlYCnSmuQs_qhERYtOrhtpz78xELtbz9VlZrhZzgX/s320/KT316%20Liberty%2023%20sept%202023%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty, 23 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6KQtEO2hAu7M9OgkP1sv_bWiNJ6daOUkVQfoHHxGPDGgbd-gm_LIFz4-uimTmdqUI1tJBHLyXDw31dShfVIh_NAfd81ra2ViYqg20FSpwaj4_0tA-W_v0pZ5qYLh6MHXocW_-tLStcow93QbhfTAx3DVcxnI-zePOI-WIGldEsWJXt0jBcFvrtyrxmbC/s2015/USDA%2061-1-X%2023%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6KQtEO2hAu7M9OgkP1sv_bWiNJ6daOUkVQfoHHxGPDGgbd-gm_LIFz4-uimTmdqUI1tJBHLyXDw31dShfVIh_NAfd81ra2ViYqg20FSpwaj4_0tA-W_v0pZ5qYLh6MHXocW_-tLStcow93QbhfTAx3DVcxnI-zePOI-WIGldEsWJXt0jBcFvrtyrxmbC/s320/USDA%2061-1-X%2023%20sept%202023.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USDA 61-1-X, 23 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1rGLWQZOt2dTrv8OljFda7Vvsf8gdMF2D_99ab1Lw1-N0akPR9YT-mK3n1yt5vQn9k3T2bP0SyjKajeJw98L_UIZX442otCpur8uQ5sZ6kam7ijpddFdAM2VOygl3i_8aVwYk-u9PAcpeiv7oOgpQ3Qn8TBzPwba329z-lfz7AMvqZbIAvYn2r3f4wjB/s2107/KT255%20Thayer%2025%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="2107" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1rGLWQZOt2dTrv8OljFda7Vvsf8gdMF2D_99ab1Lw1-N0akPR9YT-mK3n1yt5vQn9k3T2bP0SyjKajeJw98L_UIZX442otCpur8uQ5sZ6kam7ijpddFdAM2VOygl3i_8aVwYk-u9PAcpeiv7oOgpQ3Qn8TBzPwba329z-lfz7AMvqZbIAvYn2r3f4wjB/s320/KT255%20Thayer%2025%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thayer, 25 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fxlvbxKS4OhAMz8UXR6lvsZLqCc8Zu6zaYcH0gfWQdeyGD7CoeFvkxX8486RflRHU18RmcF2xWZRhBu91axnQ91AKex9sMErfc4Hsv5DSKInTiXS48xxgDeVlEUgbmQIsi-ub-ceB3TEM569VNY5xjw-5bG72ofP3BwBJnxquriiem5mVx1Gr-0afo6y/s2398/KT307G%2025%20sept%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2398" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fxlvbxKS4OhAMz8UXR6lvsZLqCc8Zu6zaYcH0gfWQdeyGD7CoeFvkxX8486RflRHU18RmcF2xWZRhBu91axnQ91AKex9sMErfc4Hsv5DSKInTiXS48xxgDeVlEUgbmQIsi-ub-ceB3TEM569VNY5xjw-5bG72ofP3BwBJnxquriiem5mVx1Gr-0afo6y/s320/KT307G%2025%20sept%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KT307, 25 Sept. 2023</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Notes on cultivars shown above:</p><p>1) Caney, Liberty, and Thayer are cultivars I've named from my pecan breeding project. Caney was tested as KT129, Liberty was tested as KT316, and Thayer was tested as KT255.</p><p>2) the two USDA clones have not been named and may never be given names. </p><p>3) the clones KT121 and KT307 are from my breeding project. At this point, I'm still evaluating them but they look promising. All of my breeding selections are labeled starting with KT which is simply short for <b>K</b>ansas <b>T</b>ree. The numbers denote the row and tree number in my pecan breeding block.<br /></p><p>4) I've decided to name all my pecan cultivars in honor of small rural towns located in SE Kansas.<br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-42634490522348973912023-09-20T21:21:00.001-05:002023-09-20T21:23:17.931-05:00Strong thunderstorms roll through the area<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KM-sOBa4FUTkk7jGd8vouff52SqWW3lEjPrS9eb6-bQ6WLKK6Ck2j6JD4idJxiFtE1_iPgdaVp4v7rlKcghzFDivkeEjTguwYrmG7PfaQNa1qFFZ_81stOyOwuTs7jlvoSRhFUB-ctKwNOGcH4bWcOJKa1XI--cxon09P5thPBxa5oZPx_TBKIVoSGQQ/s2581/DSC_0001.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="1984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KM-sOBa4FUTkk7jGd8vouff52SqWW3lEjPrS9eb6-bQ6WLKK6Ck2j6JD4idJxiFtE1_iPgdaVp4v7rlKcghzFDivkeEjTguwYrmG7PfaQNa1qFFZ_81stOyOwuTs7jlvoSRhFUB-ctKwNOGcH4bWcOJKa1XI--cxon09P5thPBxa5oZPx_TBKIVoSGQQ/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="246" /></a></div> During the summers of 2022 and 2023 we suffered through extremely dry conditions in our area. However, last night we finally received some much needed relief. This morning I dumped 2.98 inches of water out of my rain gauge. Unfortunately, the strong thunderstorms that brought us the rain also came with extremely strong winds. Besides waking up to rain puddles and mud, I discovered several trees had broken limbs. In most cases, the wind broke just a single limb (photo at right). With a single limb broken, corrective pruning was simple; I just cut off the damaged limb at the point it was attached to the trunk. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeybMTPJihOFJlpd7q9CDGbs7CDpj4BveqzJopaqT8ObhplRx-RtZ8sbQ-WPV6-PCiWdUCaqkmqQT9dg4i2GT7whLurZXjnG9AkzuFUqCvDPJVA_e95y3CM062nsAREoiAfigvHzYiCJ_gThHx4pROPrEKIntF26R9nIVmVTcIZfdDhgkeK47AekazJyJd/s2619/DSC_0004.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="2619" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeybMTPJihOFJlpd7q9CDGbs7CDpj4BveqzJopaqT8ObhplRx-RtZ8sbQ-WPV6-PCiWdUCaqkmqQT9dg4i2GT7whLurZXjnG9AkzuFUqCvDPJVA_e95y3CM062nsAREoiAfigvHzYiCJ_gThHx4pROPrEKIntF26R9nIVmVTcIZfdDhgkeK47AekazJyJd/w338-h238/DSC_0004.JPG" width="338" /></a> However, not every tree was easy to fix. The top of this tree (pictured at left) fractured and broke in 2 places, completely removing all leaf and nut bearing limbs. I could prune off the broken limbs but I'd be left with nothing but the trunk. Even if the exposed trunk resprouts new shoots next year, I've found that naked trunks quickly get attacked by wood-boring insects and wood rotting fungi. Ultimately, the tree would never regain a healthy condition. So in this case, I'll remove the entire tree and replant with a new tree this fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ieDAJzJnK2VzBR8EWrGjzjZHkJH6_cq35YIDJikf0AKsc4Uuf36LVBsHpPJ8up4WTvZaiJV4FIjjVTXyZLZ1WLeKX6734cPP5m9RgADHqrumaeN2rxtdbYY5oiw0lJjdJWT2Pi7GBfpTZqhwj_hMbEVMaxbbVIwl-ltucQ94FkDN88BrcP0OLsr44H0e/s3008/DSC_0008.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ieDAJzJnK2VzBR8EWrGjzjZHkJH6_cq35YIDJikf0AKsc4Uuf36LVBsHpPJ8up4WTvZaiJV4FIjjVTXyZLZ1WLeKX6734cPP5m9RgADHqrumaeN2rxtdbYY5oiw0lJjdJWT2Pi7GBfpTZqhwj_hMbEVMaxbbVIwl-ltucQ94FkDN88BrcP0OLsr44H0e/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Most of the limbs that broke out of my trees were one half of a narrow branch angle (photo at right). This fall I cut off the broken half of the narrow crotch but left the other half to mature its nut crop. With harvest a little over a month away, I want to maximize the number of nuts I collect this fall. The standing half remains in a much weakened condition which means that after harvest I'll need to prune out the rest this damaged branch. If left un-pruned, the standing half has a high probability of snapping off during the next strong storm.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsdlix2zr1TK29_fHT351_OHECha3e8btjgjHifLA3h9k5RP4dY4iSPc7ykGuqEKJTyTpCW8sOrdQ_N7Jjllv4KQo_wIHUxDQYV_3uvnO7d-W3-sAwsFjFsrPGwKONeCFpXsvaiVwRKwQSFtrFi8QjC1WMxX8ShzvLKGNIfGS_he5ocNYpvSkvcg6KCUY/s2689/DSC_0023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="2689" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsdlix2zr1TK29_fHT351_OHECha3e8btjgjHifLA3h9k5RP4dY4iSPc7ykGuqEKJTyTpCW8sOrdQ_N7Jjllv4KQo_wIHUxDQYV_3uvnO7d-W3-sAwsFjFsrPGwKONeCFpXsvaiVwRKwQSFtrFi8QjC1WMxX8ShzvLKGNIfGS_he5ocNYpvSkvcg6KCUY/w400-h226/DSC_0023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Damage to the entire orchard was light. I took the photo above to show you the task I was faced with this morning. You'll note one severely broken tree and one with a single broken limb. However, the remaining trees in the background did not suffer any limb breakage. It took me about 3 hours to drive around and prune off broken limbs on 30 acres of pecan trees. Once the soil dries up, I'll go back with my tractor and grapple to pick up pruned limbs and haul them off to the brush pile. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-4748903559545791252023-09-16T22:21:00.000-05:002023-09-16T22:21:43.196-05:00Earlton: First cultivar to ripen in 2023<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVFcUuuvrsv3Ko_hbXfopuHvNDwyfZ20Ah3m3j6AOQ5PStwT7vG30OkDM365aeEtmiq_AUuso4ZB31VdmW9AdBO8oG6MMa4dEv4LcUmdZo0mfCQ3a49qGL_8loV4CY_PYRWvzgX-PpGo2SXTq-PiKePoj3aAhz1ip1XmPy00sH0pCF3Y52tbdBUmxmDxW/s2182/DSC_0008.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="1659" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVFcUuuvrsv3Ko_hbXfopuHvNDwyfZ20Ah3m3j6AOQ5PStwT7vG30OkDM365aeEtmiq_AUuso4ZB31VdmW9AdBO8oG6MMa4dEv4LcUmdZo0mfCQ3a49qGL_8loV4CY_PYRWvzgX-PpGo2SXTq-PiKePoj3aAhz1ip1XmPy00sH0pCF3Y52tbdBUmxmDxW/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earlton, 15 Sept. 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> It has been a long hot summer with just barely enough rainfall to produce a pecan crop. Our dry summer weather has created smaller than normal pecans with some kernel filling issues. However, this year my pecans seem to be ripening normally. As expected, Earlton was the first cultivar in my orchard to split shuck (photo at right). Earlton originated from my pecan breeding project and is the result of a controlled cross between Pawnee and Greenriver.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHh9Ea4dRnAwmFrN9FXWnWj1peYkyx4TqU6yZOGplPSh6qzCnkzA46WAZ-PNUlJOz__K8L4xhQ2UCp9bOs9BU-TYAg_RGSVzehrj-V2ENQR0JQZJQuaYp0UYaKJxd0EcTYmfPtZRhUYOd9CdIouaRXLp68HZk15vArqqAZXFoem5dICQsgMg1zWg0XX5z/s2059/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2059" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHh9Ea4dRnAwmFrN9FXWnWj1peYkyx4TqU6yZOGplPSh6qzCnkzA46WAZ-PNUlJOz__K8L4xhQ2UCp9bOs9BU-TYAg_RGSVzehrj-V2ENQR0JQZJQuaYp0UYaKJxd0EcTYmfPtZRhUYOd9CdIouaRXLp68HZk15vArqqAZXFoem5dICQsgMg1zWg0XX5z/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The first pecan tree to ripen in any pecan grove often suffers from immense wildlife pressure. While I was collecting a nut sample from Earlton, I spotted the tell-tale signs that a bushy-tailed thief had stolen a pecan right out of the shuck (photo at left). Note that a portion of the shuck was chewed off to allow better access to a fully ripened pecan (now gone).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8YPz2A_NN8mnaucZbs4Z5j6TjEXfmh6jfeafVkCpsPcsM6g20OGmarBpekHeNGhdQk26phNbEYbnZbSTxHaa93XOnhh9l2i53CMgzQkule93azIvtJZNUEVkibx8CuQMwMsP7YJkHrY0paZgYTP9lwBFp1-MLpQtiTiFEREqPjiJU0lDAryPlK0EuaTL/s2506/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2506" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8YPz2A_NN8mnaucZbs4Z5j6TjEXfmh6jfeafVkCpsPcsM6g20OGmarBpekHeNGhdQk26phNbEYbnZbSTxHaa93XOnhh9l2i53CMgzQkule93azIvtJZNUEVkibx8CuQMwMsP7YJkHrY0paZgYTP9lwBFp1-MLpQtiTiFEREqPjiJU0lDAryPlK0EuaTL/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> On closer inspection I noted a pile of shucks at the base of the tree (photo at right). Squirrels often cut off an entire nut cluster then bring the cluster down to the base of the tree to remove the shucks. Once they free a pecan from the shuck they scamper back up the tree with the pecan to eat the nut or cache it away for future use. They definitely don't take the time to eat the pecan while on the ground; That would put them in danger of being eaten themselves by a hawk, owl, or coyote. Note that you can't see any shell fragments amonst the green shucks. It clear all these pecans where taken elsewhere.<p></p><p> I will be checking nut ripening 3 times per week this fall. It will be interesting to see how the other cultivars in my orchard split their shucks in comparison to previous years. <br /></p><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-66961423504495818132023-04-27T14:59:00.005-05:002023-04-27T14:59:49.577-05:00Observing pecan budbreak<p> After a long winter, Spring finally arrived to the pecan grove. This year, I decided to photograph pecan bud development and leaf burst as it occurred during the month of April. Each week, I snapped photos of pecan shoots on a Kanza tree (protogynous flowering) and a Liberty tree (protandrous flowering).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3GVHS9j2dyPKghAkTmjYM2TvynYwIQcLRs71B44hwydZ2_g8zPvtZ6zOMpA2F_BhR0M1eYoPNfYM4eurlpv_4v-VJNQ0q4qeFkOham_RaUEyChgTw4nSbbp1kYcay5CoDPSkK8_YQS3A4hN2Xd1qom53-35gtsMkwGWoqlhydCu3DHHk9vy3FdqNOg/s2275/Kanza2%2005%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="2275" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3GVHS9j2dyPKghAkTmjYM2TvynYwIQcLRs71B44hwydZ2_g8zPvtZ6zOMpA2F_BhR0M1eYoPNfYM4eurlpv_4v-VJNQ0q4qeFkOham_RaUEyChgTw4nSbbp1kYcay5CoDPSkK8_YQS3A4hN2Xd1qom53-35gtsMkwGWoqlhydCu3DHHk9vy3FdqNOg/s320/Kanza2%2005%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> On April 5th, the buds on Kanza trees had broken open their outer scales and were starting to show swelling green buds (photo at right). <p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDCuJxG_ClWW9FQyrwtjdOkLONQMkqMG5j8i8lvlqo4jsUuqTCInxSaMgH6smZe-zz1qnXI3Q_iI7bzH0YCQs9U4aJ-yRtymaeGXyfjl8nC4e2RR8DY4LiFcFeths8FUJ5CzbinC3Bt7WxXOmcLooC6zWlKkQBux7RmdRHAz6ZIKvly12ocn3ViFWcg/s2158/Liberty1%2005%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="2158" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDCuJxG_ClWW9FQyrwtjdOkLONQMkqMG5j8i8lvlqo4jsUuqTCInxSaMgH6smZe-zz1qnXI3Q_iI7bzH0YCQs9U4aJ-yRtymaeGXyfjl8nC4e2RR8DY4LiFcFeths8FUJ5CzbinC3Bt7WxXOmcLooC6zWlKkQBux7RmdRHAz6ZIKvly12ocn3ViFWcg/s320/Liberty1%2005%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> On the same date (April 5) Liberty buds had swollen in size but had yet to split open their outer scales (photo at left). <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7Cc96Jc6FEnLEvpxXOrkR-Deic3BSwAunNRvmkcT1JDcWFfyQ_dpOxoMbRtYZ6WuNXFuiLbUzD9xunCU9THjEChYIeebEsJkiVPRdp8aI4wVAOQ-LTAfYwrwlee6WvvpNBxSiNg2WNPmguHmmkGdOj7z61t1skFCztm3PTilkeM43hjcVvQaBrWehA/s1018/Kanza%2012%20apr%2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1018" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7Cc96Jc6FEnLEvpxXOrkR-Deic3BSwAunNRvmkcT1JDcWFfyQ_dpOxoMbRtYZ6WuNXFuiLbUzD9xunCU9THjEChYIeebEsJkiVPRdp8aI4wVAOQ-LTAfYwrwlee6WvvpNBxSiNg2WNPmguHmmkGdOj7z61t1skFCztm3PTilkeM43hjcVvQaBrWehA/s320/Kanza%2012%20apr%2023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> One week later (April 12) Kanza buds were showing the first stages of leaf burst (photo at right). At this point, the two lateral buds that flank each vegetative shoot are still tightly closed. These lateral buds will eventually produce catkins.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjraVl0zLe0Hh3shAsGLA-tfmWcRYWSrHX05OozCwC0hGwOAAZ-U-_BUJebK8HquCVTuBjFsynp3e5r6vScukUQUttfQ0BzIs5C8eaymEXrR5pMRwo_zjTJr-m1Zu32KzyTQHzP4uibKHoMfrCBInQI5aaqbNS_WcqiF12pxulL-KKNsYhiJlWuIEepQ/s1606/Liberty%2012%20Apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1606" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjraVl0zLe0Hh3shAsGLA-tfmWcRYWSrHX05OozCwC0hGwOAAZ-U-_BUJebK8HquCVTuBjFsynp3e5r6vScukUQUttfQ0BzIs5C8eaymEXrR5pMRwo_zjTJr-m1Zu32KzyTQHzP4uibKHoMfrCBInQI5aaqbNS_WcqiF12pxulL-KKNsYhiJlWuIEepQ/s320/Liberty%2012%20Apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> As a protandrous cultivar, Liberty displays its catkins first as buds start to open up in the Spring (photo at left, April 12). The vegetative bud has emerged but leaves have yet to burst forth.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPi9Mnn5sfC3SvE03KE7qk9ttN-NYwGCAep5-mzaSv5eUs2_f6tFNDZI6IABoHg-Wn8_cvWWzltLLoiQRUfCF44wyS_MAALbnyE2tmgQ0tzznbNlv6ikZ1S_OFllsssJHb-3CKkVj8uDfCPOIprpfYIpkeEILDdunpYM4iWMexK97gflnFB3sW8f8tw/s2080/Kanza%2018%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="2080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPi9Mnn5sfC3SvE03KE7qk9ttN-NYwGCAep5-mzaSv5eUs2_f6tFNDZI6IABoHg-Wn8_cvWWzltLLoiQRUfCF44wyS_MAALbnyE2tmgQ0tzznbNlv6ikZ1S_OFllsssJHb-3CKkVj8uDfCPOIprpfYIpkeEILDdunpYM4iWMexK97gflnFB3sW8f8tw/s320/Kanza%2018%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> By April 18, Kanza leaves have unfurled and catkins are now visible (photo at right). You should note that Kanza catkins are long and narrow which is typical of catkins produced by protogynous cultivars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisXD9yicz0RU2t3jsyERQUKBVMnJZuMAtH-2rzAvNgf2UStS-ePw_A3D8DXda75jWXeTZr5hOGQrtfukpU7SLsZdPZgqxQ8sjRJqhD4rLprY6TU_QYPCSqMx9vSrI_dMF_btFIWoZmvu4XWOE5NsqBVTSqBTE6cTg6D5uUH4kZt5e-MKiH0dIl4NXKA/s2218/Liberty%2018%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2218" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisXD9yicz0RU2t3jsyERQUKBVMnJZuMAtH-2rzAvNgf2UStS-ePw_A3D8DXda75jWXeTZr5hOGQrtfukpU7SLsZdPZgqxQ8sjRJqhD4rLprY6TU_QYPCSqMx9vSrI_dMF_btFIWoZmvu4XWOE5NsqBVTSqBTE6cTg6D5uUH4kZt5e-MKiH0dIl4NXKA/s320/Liberty%2018%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> By the same date (18 Apr.), the leaves of Liberty have begun to expand but the catkins are still the dominate feature of this cultivar's new growth. Note that pollen sacs are already quite large on each catkin (photo at left). The short and wide catkins of Liberty are typical of cultivars with a protandrous flowering habit. <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsZbyg9eVZUuvrT02uIRXJcUEiMbNyL2eDu_oAuFohl1ycJuyETZhJIktMA_sIkSIj_TtNO7ffOk60PhT1BRRsv-pjHv0Nsal8_uWwqKBvpZa9stJk912xvdVjE-IhK2QHd4s-yvSimIzfUcgTL9fHVvY_a_YeTdnaLVhGbm73cmXSFORxC_6TUs_w/s2257/kanza%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="2257" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsZbyg9eVZUuvrT02uIRXJcUEiMbNyL2eDu_oAuFohl1ycJuyETZhJIktMA_sIkSIj_TtNO7ffOk60PhT1BRRsv-pjHv0Nsal8_uWwqKBvpZa9stJk912xvdVjE-IhK2QHd4s-yvSimIzfUcgTL9fHVvY_a_YeTdnaLVhGbm73cmXSFORxC_6TUs_w/s320/kanza%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> One week later (April 25), the new vegetative shoots on Kanza trees have grown 4 to 5 inches in length (photo at right). The extremely long catkins have reached their final length. At this date I could still not detect the formation of a pistillate flower clusters at the apex of new shoot Kanza shoots. Hopefully that will come soon.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLTl-K22aYtkKXroge0zYqvpdanNpxse5RkAOnwxsbl1AOa5GrGZfuWv226htS6hd9x_5OPaE1bAnyIXIufMSwlg3myC53jcavq0CKZ1fQgGS30PNqkpF8tC0Ab9DsV70FooGaJ-84ZWVT7Qb23ZbRYv6YpIINNQPatywVMZ40Lg55Z3wcgAkQQ8xQ/s3008/LIberty%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLTl-K22aYtkKXroge0zYqvpdanNpxse5RkAOnwxsbl1AOa5GrGZfuWv226htS6hd9x_5OPaE1bAnyIXIufMSwlg3myC53jcavq0CKZ1fQgGS30PNqkpF8tC0Ab9DsV70FooGaJ-84ZWVT7Qb23ZbRYv6YpIINNQPatywVMZ40Lg55Z3wcgAkQQ8xQ/s320/LIberty%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> On April 25, Liberty leaves have expanded but shoot length lags behind adjacent Kanza trees. However, Liberty catkins are now fully formed and will be ready to shed pollen about the same time as Kanza pistillate flowers appear in early May. (photo at left).<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL8P76ZAEeDYqTrVigc1UrocyUPKAZTqPLBSyR1NYWUP49ATHJxEzPAqp6EHhdx4yKx-IsvXMCtdlh1weRNAHZrJT0_HJDjIMqluX_FG-q_5NMeSigH9YW7IS72UE5LqqWFgqa8hF8-w8LHAvzxUWCK-OtHPpv5hp4--9pERCeC0ARLhO_2698EB0Xw/s1170/Caney%20pistilate%20flower%20showing%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1170" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL8P76ZAEeDYqTrVigc1UrocyUPKAZTqPLBSyR1NYWUP49ATHJxEzPAqp6EHhdx4yKx-IsvXMCtdlh1weRNAHZrJT0_HJDjIMqluX_FG-q_5NMeSigH9YW7IS72UE5LqqWFgqa8hF8-w8LHAvzxUWCK-OtHPpv5hp4--9pERCeC0ARLhO_2698EB0Xw/s320/Caney%20pistilate%20flower%20showing%2025%20apr%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> On April 25, I searched long and hard for any signs of pistillate flower formation. After last year's extreme drought, I'm extremely curious to see how my trees will flower this Spring. I did find a single Caney terminal that displayed the early stages of pistillate flower development. In the photo at right, look carefully between the youngest emerging leaves. Note the oval-shaped structure nestled in the shoot's growing tip. That's the first sign of a pistillate flower cluster.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-79880585081069382952023-02-06T20:48:00.000-06:002023-02-06T20:48:11.104-06:00Looking inside a pecan graft union<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP7hCiOS38rtrqshh0kjp7XdLOgzhDAwLVUG8lijX3P9ZncvBmwtLW8dDEPngB4yxn2HMTws413-AwPpg26IlRTnW_d4cu0sL82ZitctuJ-pT5kiHux81OwMS4_FPSKjPucolD0CT-kKg4-PLN_LP6vNHMD8jWFZPhm_Go2tgV2RtHKvPf5mdUpgJTA/s960/bark%20graft%20union.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP7hCiOS38rtrqshh0kjp7XdLOgzhDAwLVUG8lijX3P9ZncvBmwtLW8dDEPngB4yxn2HMTws413-AwPpg26IlRTnW_d4cu0sL82ZitctuJ-pT5kiHux81OwMS4_FPSKjPucolD0CT-kKg4-PLN_LP6vNHMD8jWFZPhm_Go2tgV2RtHKvPf5mdUpgJTA/w480-h640/bark%20graft%20union.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Whenever I remove a pecan tree, I like to save the portion of the trunk that contains the graft union. After drying a few weeks, I slice open the trunk with a band saw hoping to reveal the anatomy of the graft. This winter I got lucky. In the photo above, you can see every step I took in placing a bark graft on this tree.<p></p><p> As you look at the photo, note that the color of the wood is distinctively different between scion and stock. Wood growing from the scion is lighter in color than the wood of the stock. A distinctive color boundary between scion and stock extends across the entire trunk. Even though scion and stock grow together seamlessly, they remain genetically separate and never mix. This is graphically illustrated in the photo by the sliver of light-colored scionwood that dives deep into the stock. This inclusion of scion into the stock is exactly where I inserted the grafting wood under the bark of the stock (even the staples are visible). </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWz2M3PqZ15whXphFRB6Pse4XfD1JIR2g2QKzj4KdRZwX_f26Vap8L03uXbGPlHbZv2vsxdWsRaYzq759lx5f-jOvPgzSQQ3dyymYWt2Y_6IKraBZtNaczRc4PQLuoPuIS_Dzk5dGN4prBbMps8y47_mtwM4fVz0GF4ddPPjAWgMNnOpVbwEzlXBpJw/s1847/hall%20table%20right.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="1847" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWz2M3PqZ15whXphFRB6Pse4XfD1JIR2g2QKzj4KdRZwX_f26Vap8L03uXbGPlHbZv2vsxdWsRaYzq759lx5f-jOvPgzSQQ3dyymYWt2Y_6IKraBZtNaczRc4PQLuoPuIS_Dzk5dGN4prBbMps8y47_mtwM4fVz0GF4ddPPjAWgMNnOpVbwEzlXBpJw/w400-h364/hall%20table%20right.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> I've always been fascinated by the grafting process and how that process is reflected in the grain of the wood. The photo above shows a hall table I built using pecan boards cut to reveal a graft union. The left side of the table is Giles rootstock while the right side is the cultivar, Osage. Note the distinctive brown line that cuts across the table indicating the boundary between scion and stock. In this example, the rootstock wood is lighter in color than the Osage wood grafted on top.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-75062690227615376342022-11-05T12:02:00.000-05:002022-11-05T12:02:07.634-05:00Pecan Harvest 2022: Making the best of a bad situation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDB6kDDmxOJAWPiExwXsyiAEZ95g0Tw5X14Pn3kR6tWKOIH0_i8WbCAkw0QnZ49M3BtgUAfVNxHR0H5o-5dO_7ifT5ibqGwTxQlDCHwzutCqydKMJhFGTeqJFiPAIsg07czUILL7qUs19V4Nh206e0x1xFf1cUw3A60qsvtdl__3is-e56yELcqDpkg/s3008/Gardner%20in%20the%20hopper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDB6kDDmxOJAWPiExwXsyiAEZ95g0Tw5X14Pn3kR6tWKOIH0_i8WbCAkw0QnZ49M3BtgUAfVNxHR0H5o-5dO_7ifT5ibqGwTxQlDCHwzutCqydKMJhFGTeqJFiPAIsg07czUILL7qUs19V4Nh206e0x1xFf1cUw3A60qsvtdl__3is-e56yELcqDpkg/w472-h314/Gardner%20in%20the%20hopper.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><br /> Following an extended summer drought and an early Fall freeze, the outlook for my 2022 pecan harvest season looked bleak. Staring up into the canopies of my trees all I could see were small black stick-tights. Should I just walk away from the whole mess or should I attempt to salvage what I could of the 2022 crop? I decided to shake the trees and see if I could recover at least a few edible nuts. <p></p><p> The photo above shows the nuts I collected from a row of Gardner trees using my pecan harvest equipment. Most were sticktights and would have no commercial value. Surprisingly, I discovered a sprinkling of good pecans among those collected. Once I ran the harvested nuts through my pecan cleaner, I ended up with about 5% saleable pecans. I definitely won't be covering my production costs via pecan sales this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntecjTAyQ4DUSdtwjOlaa-SPUF58Dbf9dNJvsLIkGZwP0K5EIT2wW8u-thPWrq7Y2cus7fiugbwGYgDo7ik-9P35aFaZTMTfig0-dxG2h0M5CeY0PeXmLqLGvRR5EQ3MfULi0HVx26PqUEn4xWeJKypvgZezOcTqvfjlIp8VzNN72S9o06C_zJCZzow/s1594/Gardner%20sticktight%20vs%20nut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1594" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntecjTAyQ4DUSdtwjOlaa-SPUF58Dbf9dNJvsLIkGZwP0K5EIT2wW8u-thPWrq7Y2cus7fiugbwGYgDo7ik-9P35aFaZTMTfig0-dxG2h0M5CeY0PeXmLqLGvRR5EQ3MfULi0HVx26PqUEn4xWeJKypvgZezOcTqvfjlIp8VzNN72S9o06C_zJCZzow/s320/Gardner%20sticktight%20vs%20nut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Before the freeze, many Gardner nuts were showing signs of shuck-split. However, this past summer's drought prevented normal shuck dehiscence. The photo at right shows two Gardner nuts harvested this year. The sticktight appeared to have split along normal suture lines but the shuck is still firmly held in place.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEqxlCCTsUIxmln_LDV0xwm7cs2KKsDpNlmJ4wP1b5ellxITVFmzx25Q6NdQSrQ_L-vAH-JOcgDSZJ-i9bRAMiKrOQY48KAc7C27fJk1ZRzeEQkrHdRPWh3GxQp5qbgfCjLV51S2nujPYI2ieQKPplUKm__tng50j1C9KgedSa3dlFwNe4dYl6YO2rQ/s1299/Gardner%20kernel%20fill%20sticktight%20vs%20nut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1299" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEqxlCCTsUIxmln_LDV0xwm7cs2KKsDpNlmJ4wP1b5ellxITVFmzx25Q6NdQSrQ_L-vAH-JOcgDSZJ-i9bRAMiKrOQY48KAc7C27fJk1ZRzeEQkrHdRPWh3GxQp5qbgfCjLV51S2nujPYI2ieQKPplUKm__tng50j1C9KgedSa3dlFwNe4dYl6YO2rQ/s320/Gardner%20kernel%20fill%20sticktight%20vs%20nut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> To discover a possible explanation for why one the Gardner nut released normally from the shuck while the other did not, I decided to cut the nuts open to check on kernel development (photo at left). Although both nuts had developed kernels inside the shell, the pecan with attached shucks did not produce the plump kernels associated with a normal Gardner nut. Full kernel development inside the shell is an important stimulant for shuck opening.<br /><p></p><p> Remember this year's fall freeze occurred on October 19th, three weeks after the normal shuck split date for Gardner. This year, all of my trees were suffering from intense water shortage. The drought delayed and even inhibited normal shuck opening. The deep freeze only stopped an already damaged crop-ripening process. <br /></p><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-76170645732268095822022-10-29T21:52:00.001-05:002022-10-29T21:52:17.399-05:00Deep freeze blasts drought stressed pecan trees<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EJOlRrypoMfhUigIjwtRa8qpcnBdbXhMzmPUy-3N-Yhe1kZ3UL_G4jFrM9lw1ZLD2N_Hy8chD-YdEsjYKWcLuHAB10GByR5jTbL0IAcGmzhUVAxmM-EVOZmS9doCnMIoyJoB_p4KuzHq4gLuov0wRbdt8JM6_MMbLe3rYt5v1FJPF8QEgRKjeQRGrA/s2481/Kanza%20after%20freeze%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="1741" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EJOlRrypoMfhUigIjwtRa8qpcnBdbXhMzmPUy-3N-Yhe1kZ3UL_G4jFrM9lw1ZLD2N_Hy8chD-YdEsjYKWcLuHAB10GByR5jTbL0IAcGmzhUVAxmM-EVOZmS9doCnMIoyJoB_p4KuzHq4gLuov0wRbdt8JM6_MMbLe3rYt5v1FJPF8QEgRKjeQRGrA/w312-h444/Kanza%20after%20freeze%201.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kanza leaves and shucks killed by freeze</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> It has been over a week since a strong arctic air mass descended across the central plains and ended the 2022 growing season. I recorded 19 degrees F (-7 C) at dawn and knew immediately that pecan leaves and shucks would be killed. Pecan leaves were freeze dried on the tree and hung on for about a week before dropping to the ground. The freeze had little impact on the pecans that had already split their shucks. However, as I mentioned in earlier posts, the extended drought we have suffered this year inhibited normal nut ripening. </p><p> Fortunately, most of my Kanza nuts had split their shucks before the freeze and have opened up normally (photo at right). Young Kanza trees (< 6" DBH) suffered more from the drought and have produced much smaller nuts that did not open (100% stick-tights).</p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcvbVO_Fd-5Zkpwuat8fRon7I0h8l3I2Djy-DlAb1cBoM29QygpDcjY6ZuYWFMGoWiv88_9G4U9QFOJmuqS-lRzgz6Ro8f-7yHrGQy1INcrkxzsVKGn3Tv05hbrY2OQKVOZA3-AJu3yPXDT7IY30Wse1gio0b3Dk40bKg5vBANwr91mmMy8Cr5pNPMg/s2257/Thayer%20after%20freeze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="2257" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcvbVO_Fd-5Zkpwuat8fRon7I0h8l3I2Djy-DlAb1cBoM29QygpDcjY6ZuYWFMGoWiv88_9G4U9QFOJmuqS-lRzgz6Ro8f-7yHrGQy1INcrkxzsVKGn3Tv05hbrY2OQKVOZA3-AJu3yPXDT7IY30Wse1gio0b3Dk40bKg5vBANwr91mmMy8Cr5pNPMg/w327-h226/Thayer%20after%20freeze.JPG" width="327" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thayer nuts after freeze</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Some cultivars appear to have opened partially after the freeze. The Thayer nuts pictured at left have full kernels and I hope the pecan harvester will beat the nuts hard enough to remove most of the shucks. During normal rainfall years, Thayer ripens 6 days before Kanza and should have opened well before the freeze. Unfortunately, it looks like my Thayer trees didn't get enough water to ripen normally.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9MavZ4zr9_xc0K5smNiowp0pN1bJZsCeIhL0Yt32T4pcU6MRDr1keoy28qRlPapsuHEeQi0DkZVgRnvov4wD3mGu59OGtc09iOx9j4DUaXF83LfvX-pvnx_WoduoWSzmpaNna6QFcwjaBxtbyCjWzdCjKrYYcg5e_8aFJi0Y7JDo35uKJ7-jMsNB9w/s2353/Hark%20after%20freeze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="2353" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9MavZ4zr9_xc0K5smNiowp0pN1bJZsCeIhL0Yt32T4pcU6MRDr1keoy28qRlPapsuHEeQi0DkZVgRnvov4wD3mGu59OGtc09iOx9j4DUaXF83LfvX-pvnx_WoduoWSzmpaNna6QFcwjaBxtbyCjWzdCjKrYYcg5e_8aFJi0Y7JDo35uKJ7-jMsNB9w/s320/Hark%20after%20freeze.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hark nuts after freeze</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Hark is a cultivar that usually ripens at the same time as Kanza. Not this year. The photo at right illustrates the current state of my Hark crop. Very few of these nuts will break out of their shucks, leaving me to harvest a bin load of stick-tights. <br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflpgM_K-SMSAODpk7XYT5T-IhvR3v7Bj4mGvVG0fDwSswoC3L48KZ7n7ENAAM8K9RcD9gEHtRTzFOAW9Z36ZHpW2B_mTKX7rtdappEHJ2ahVrbb-0TJjwL-djLFXOtT9DWU5YQOM_umaWXfjS57P6Vjn7oGO2bCMo-BeKLlPyFNuHtEVgzZXX_4C8QQ/s1906/Caney%20with%20missing%20nuts%20from%20crows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1903" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflpgM_K-SMSAODpk7XYT5T-IhvR3v7Bj4mGvVG0fDwSswoC3L48KZ7n7ENAAM8K9RcD9gEHtRTzFOAW9Z36ZHpW2B_mTKX7rtdappEHJ2ahVrbb-0TJjwL-djLFXOtT9DWU5YQOM_umaWXfjS57P6Vjn7oGO2bCMo-BeKLlPyFNuHtEVgzZXX_4C8QQ/s320/Caney%20with%20missing%20nuts%20from%20crows.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><p> Caney was one cultivar that split open before the freeze and will fall free from the shuck at harvest (photo at left). But since this was one of the very few trees that opened up early, Caney became a prime target for crows to devour. The nut cluster pictured at left had three nuts but only one remains. A hungry crow knocked two nuts out of their shucks and onto the ground. Flying down to the dropped nuts, the crow then used its beak to crack open the nuts and consume all the kernels.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTtrK9-nrt9WWcmkIR7c5y26TdII6TDI7rutEMjsldCps736Hf0CNiEQ5tu_EoRiK06pDptbjUiH-YAjzUuiDB5VZpAUMVzPhh6L097HGmQftNDBrA-yNROByytCvLRKDdzZJnOJXqdn831uWi6kBgWMntx4iA_N4kZkjkREM2lLb8lKY_prlqK_PwA/s2762/bark%20graft%20after%20freeze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2762" data-original-width="1577" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTtrK9-nrt9WWcmkIR7c5y26TdII6TDI7rutEMjsldCps736Hf0CNiEQ5tu_EoRiK06pDptbjUiH-YAjzUuiDB5VZpAUMVzPhh6L097HGmQftNDBrA-yNROByytCvLRKDdzZJnOJXqdn831uWi6kBgWMntx4iA_N4kZkjkREM2lLb8lKY_prlqK_PwA/w282-h493/bark%20graft%20after%20freeze.JPG" width="282" /></a></div><br /> An early Fall freeze can damage the cambium of current season grafts. So while I was out inspecting my nut crop, I stopped at a vigorously growing scion to check for damage. The tree pictured at right was grafted this past Spring using a bark graft. The scion had grown over five feet in height (fantastic for a drought year). Unfortunately, this tree was not prepared for such a quick drop in temperatures. The freeze killed all the foliage but the most serious cold damage can only be revealed by inspecting the cambium on the scion shoot.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD9Y6nVxTnVNEyP4V8YnwkowhhvsYHq2OTkt4K7B4gA9VE54ZbmOZZaaE74tMd3VBcpb021ArbYkoX3HFYpCZL6pzBDXrp0g1G7iIrUPVji53_iZvGTLSwhw9DQIruSZkI79RIdh8rSTgrowsoFiq6ipZG8msXnsp1M_hZDRD916hniokrVzpRfXxEw/s1692/cambial%20damage%20on%20bark%20graft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1692" data-original-width="1019" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD9Y6nVxTnVNEyP4V8YnwkowhhvsYHq2OTkt4K7B4gA9VE54ZbmOZZaaE74tMd3VBcpb021ArbYkoX3HFYpCZL6pzBDXrp0g1G7iIrUPVji53_iZvGTLSwhw9DQIruSZkI79RIdh8rSTgrowsoFiq6ipZG8msXnsp1M_hZDRD916hniokrVzpRfXxEw/w276-h457/cambial%20damage%20on%20bark%20graft.JPG" width="276" /></a></div> Using my knife, I peeled back the bark to expose the inner bark and cambium. The inner bark of healthy twigs should be green in color. This tree had significant internal browning which indicates cold injury.<p></p><p> I'll need to watch this tree carefully next Spring for signs of bud break. This tree will most likely suffer die-back or I could loose the entire scion. From past experience, I've noticed that a freeze damaged grafts usually re-sprout from below the graft union. If that happens, I'll need to train a trunk sprout to a central leader then re-graft the tree in the Spring of 2024. <br /></p><p><br /></p><br />William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-24451357244086386892022-10-18T20:30:00.001-05:002022-10-18T22:31:28.593-05:00Erratic shuck-split during this drought year<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1EqfOFetwtnK2vv_FSGLfaHrl4OxGGUKiA--1EglmgBqb96WnVbNTovvo638CQxQaMVA-5AFkVKT8gI807sCvqc5f-whXe-IyUF23FV4_AcHBeMXxxzZVmPj8f8R3HxJBLElqNiFe7dUuEgGn96ZiQ61CDVwnOvlEUfiTIbJ5D7kq_t86h026vDKhg/s2221/Caney%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="2221" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1EqfOFetwtnK2vv_FSGLfaHrl4OxGGUKiA--1EglmgBqb96WnVbNTovvo638CQxQaMVA-5AFkVKT8gI807sCvqc5f-whXe-IyUF23FV4_AcHBeMXxxzZVmPj8f8R3HxJBLElqNiFe7dUuEgGn96ZiQ61CDVwnOvlEUfiTIbJ5D7kq_t86h026vDKhg/s320/Caney%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caney, 15 Oct 2022</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Our local weatherman is predicting a strong cold front to drop temperatures into the low 20's by tomorrow morning. Once that happens, the 2022 pecan growing season will come to an abrupt end. Pecan leaves will freeze and drop from the tree. Nuts that have not shuck-split at this point will be frozen in the shuck to cause what is commonly called "stick-tights".</p><p> Because this massive cold wave has been predicted for some time now, I made sure to scout my pecan grove for shuck-split last weekend. All of the photos presented in this post where taken on Saturday, Oct. 15th. All of the cultivars pictured normally ripen ripen much earlier, in late September or very early October. This year's extended and deep drought has changed everything.<br /></p><p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNajkV2egKqBMx8yxAWR4dN4KCkGAPnfB39AnAC7MZog_OIafSQ3CDrzoHIZq3ESTJOY5J351IouY3_tfCZ47_5uryVdm12veEVGPur6PPewPbJLAsUpeBJJa7EBSICq4Nc0wsNDvlAPxcbZ4CUc2YTz_lqzWF8vNT2OBZtQ_HmNKI3ckZXxnxixfPQ/s1812/Kanza%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1801" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNajkV2egKqBMx8yxAWR4dN4KCkGAPnfB39AnAC7MZog_OIafSQ3CDrzoHIZq3ESTJOY5J351IouY3_tfCZ47_5uryVdm12veEVGPur6PPewPbJLAsUpeBJJa7EBSICq4Nc0wsNDvlAPxcbZ4CUc2YTz_lqzWF8vNT2OBZtQ_HmNKI3ckZXxnxixfPQ/s320/Kanza%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanza, 15 Oct. 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> I was very pleased to see Kanza split (photo at left) on most of my trees. However, I noted that most of the younger Kanza trees (< 6 inches DBH) were still tight in the shuck. It is likely that the younger trees had more difficultly in competing with the ground cover for water. And without adequate water, the shucks can't open. <br /></p><p> Since Kanza represents about one half of my total production, it looks like I'll have some nuts to sell this Fall even if they are much smaller than normal (drought decreased nut size).</p><p> </p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHtfxOW5spZJutR_dr1Vtc4LhknimpnapwO6dUrk5uOZamF8n5rDzasxUEwG84bx7iofoxZhGWlCodESRoMcT9yL5e952EBHlexbRRnQdvKgOF6HZuOu12SLgPeunbI3p8ZJora1oWGzyTg4ANrRdYpxTzBBZvoZDzx2SzcugrXa38HZevgkuowiZog/s1879/Gardner%20scab%20and%20no%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="1879" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHtfxOW5spZJutR_dr1Vtc4LhknimpnapwO6dUrk5uOZamF8n5rDzasxUEwG84bx7iofoxZhGWlCodESRoMcT9yL5e952EBHlexbRRnQdvKgOF6HZuOu12SLgPeunbI3p8ZJora1oWGzyTg4ANrRdYpxTzBBZvoZDzx2SzcugrXa38HZevgkuowiZog/s320/Gardner%20scab%20and%20no%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardner, 15 Oct. 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Unfortunately, some cultivars are were not even close to opening their shucks. Gardner (photo at right) usually ripens at the same time as Pawnee in Late September. This year Gardner nuts are smaller than normal and have adequate kernel fill. The shuck has separated from the shell but it has not split open. It will be interesting to see if the freeze will pop Gardner shucks open. If not, I'll be amassing a huge pile of stick-tights for the burn pile.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMqspSyFVgK69V6LbyTCWQ1JyklyAFnTyoDNUz80hLlZA164W2XEtHE5zCay28EeTqzrS5oYQegu1x0dR1ELye5SlmvRfcI8dVXvGeeehZNYUtP-WlAJ0J6kBh4JCULrTfhFWKbDEiD4FEE8vDYrldMZFUHtljpnDiIx70UtfCLkuUYX20rrAfszaaw/s1816/Thayer%20some%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="1771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMqspSyFVgK69V6LbyTCWQ1JyklyAFnTyoDNUz80hLlZA164W2XEtHE5zCay28EeTqzrS5oYQegu1x0dR1ELye5SlmvRfcI8dVXvGeeehZNYUtP-WlAJ0J6kBh4JCULrTfhFWKbDEiD4FEE8vDYrldMZFUHtljpnDiIx70UtfCLkuUYX20rrAfszaaw/s320/Thayer%20some%20shucksplit%2015%20oct%202022.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thayer, 15 Oct. 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> This year, several cultivars are demonstrating a wide variation in shuck development within a single nut cluster. The cluster of Thayer pictured at left illustrates this observation. Note that the largest nut in the cluster is split while the three smaller nuts are still tight in the shuck. After tomorrow's deep freeze, will I have just a single saleable nut to harvest from this cluster. By next Saturday, when I scout the orchard again, I'll get a better idea of crop losses due to this early hard freeze. </p><p> The 2022 growing season in SE Kansas has proven to be one for the record books, and not in a good way. I keep thinking back to 2007 when we suffered a trio of weather disasters. First we had a late spring freeze that killed emerging shoots followed by the second highest river flood on record in July. The third shoe dropped when our trees were covered by a limb-breaking ice storm in December. Now in 2022, after drought and early fall freeze, I keep thinking, "What's next". Fortunately, pecan trees are resilient and will bounce back to produce great crops in future years. <br /></p><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-9166626237632035132022-10-06T22:13:00.000-05:002022-10-06T22:13:10.289-05:00Extreme drought impacts pecan shucksplit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RsPXygM_p-rPS8haHnkLhJycMacDGjmebYg0iJvsRuN9w0ADgrt0jsWMSJ686JVq2TDAvdW15FI6SpwpddkRbIGIuGqNYdRYpNzrs2Gg-qgSvddz8qDoInESEA3Jf-KUEM61qdWcNQtCA12YERYkIoxzNLB7y3aEa3KwBzRqHtblZkXs1jebDFZG4w/s2537/Earlton%203%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2537" data-original-width="1807" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RsPXygM_p-rPS8haHnkLhJycMacDGjmebYg0iJvsRuN9w0ADgrt0jsWMSJ686JVq2TDAvdW15FI6SpwpddkRbIGIuGqNYdRYpNzrs2Gg-qgSvddz8qDoInESEA3Jf-KUEM61qdWcNQtCA12YERYkIoxzNLB7y3aEa3KwBzRqHtblZkXs1jebDFZG4w/w341-h479/Earlton%203%20oct%202022.JPG" width="341" /></a></div> During the first week of October, I usually note several pecan cultivars that have split shuck. However, this year, the extended drought has delayed the normal timing of nut ripening. The photo at right shows a cluster of Earlton nuts with the first signs of shucksplit on October 3rd, 2022. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgYT2SBiS_z03ubopdANb_SV1GJgJJEGmDK9Y5x-Pex_0u62K6rlPb2SogZz8Q_Zw98HyNGK3vC3h8SUPo5aB7clxfgubBZ4vt-hQVkdm7Fr7CGFxdO-jIIQmmGUdx6XFuX3KEt05lhkTwMxReRGgZmeySsV0Uq0_f2VKyShDkayy3YEJwCLKaNhvmQ/s2308/KT337%2018%20sept%202020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2308" data-original-width="1694" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgYT2SBiS_z03ubopdANb_SV1GJgJJEGmDK9Y5x-Pex_0u62K6rlPb2SogZz8Q_Zw98HyNGK3vC3h8SUPo5aB7clxfgubBZ4vt-hQVkdm7Fr7CGFxdO-jIIQmmGUdx6XFuX3KEt05lhkTwMxReRGgZmeySsV0Uq0_f2VKyShDkayy3YEJwCLKaNhvmQ/w342-h465/KT337%2018%20sept%202020.JPG" width="342" /></a></div> Earlton is a cultivar I released from my pecan breeding program primarily for its early ripening date. During a more normal rainfall year, Earlton ripens in mid-September. The photo at left was taken on 18 Sept. 2020 and shows a cluster of Earlton nuts as they normally appear at shucksplit. <p></p><p> Besides splitshuck two weeks later than normal, this year's Earlton nuts appear barely split open. This is a good reminder that adequate water supply is necessary for normal shuck opening.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR04-VBnLsHlmFMyGD5QxNAztrpgmEdtMmedw4sQN1bGYxL4IiPVw4dZW94ZA2a1PMz2ggSyOpN5e-ntkSx9zOpO4x91Qhr6fyGIXdgI7thZfRq3WjwIKGo7PnMS7ipJnltUWbwfKomadgQtnVaSvDHvxUeJLP_R_6XBkoyq5WbsQedaxqBAkwwjndMg/s2254/Liberty%203%20oct%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2254" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR04-VBnLsHlmFMyGD5QxNAztrpgmEdtMmedw4sQN1bGYxL4IiPVw4dZW94ZA2a1PMz2ggSyOpN5e-ntkSx9zOpO4x91Qhr6fyGIXdgI7thZfRq3WjwIKGo7PnMS7ipJnltUWbwfKomadgQtnVaSvDHvxUeJLP_R_6XBkoyq5WbsQedaxqBAkwwjndMg/w508-h323/Liberty%203%20oct%202022.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><br /> Liberty, another of my pecan cultivars, usually ripens around September 24th at my location. However, the drought has also delayed normal shucksplit for Liberty. The photo above shows a Liberty nut in cross section and a whole nut that I cut off a portion of the shuck to reveal the shell. This photo illustrates several impacts of the 2022 drought. First, these Liberty nuts are less that 1/2 the size of normal Liberty pecans. Although there is a good amount of kernel inside the nut, I noted that kernel fill was less than ideal. There are voids within the kernel halves and the central kernel partion is not fully compressed. These observations lead me to predict drier and less oily kernels at harvest. When this photo was taken on Oct. 3rd, the shucks were not split open. When I cut off a portion of the shuck, I revealed a fully colored shell underneath. This tells me that the nut is fully mature but the tree lacks sufficient water to pop the shucks open on schedule. <br /><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-81277936332186513962022-09-29T07:30:00.018-05:002022-09-29T07:30:00.176-05:00Tree spacing influences nut production during drought<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7rzB_8zKEsc0hEv5EE0cPGwzTRsmjjfjb_VpqrrP0fcxyX4QTZWzl3wZTlv6gyZa8pFiRKJFxNFJt5b6xPprGSe5eD7cx6KG6XDwD0BgJiw3K2gmMVEIkAA6T1nHSdiDz4w9UnbDzkWwKCe4eVaWjkxy2oJVEJ7YYJHbG2-YATbCJVgKt0U-KZmbKg/s2447/Young%20caney%20tree%20lots%20of%20space.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="1975" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7rzB_8zKEsc0hEv5EE0cPGwzTRsmjjfjb_VpqrrP0fcxyX4QTZWzl3wZTlv6gyZa8pFiRKJFxNFJt5b6xPprGSe5eD7cx6KG6XDwD0BgJiw3K2gmMVEIkAA6T1nHSdiDz4w9UnbDzkWwKCe4eVaWjkxy2oJVEJ7YYJHbG2-YATbCJVgKt0U-KZmbKg/w349-h433/Young%20caney%20tree%20lots%20of%20space.JPG" width="349" /></a></div> The other day I was scouting my orchard for pecan shuck split when I noticed a dramatic difference in nut size and ripening between a young grafted Caney tree and the mature mother Caney tree located in my pecan breeding block.<p></p><p> Let's look at the trees in question. The photo at right is a young Caney tree. This tree has a good crop of nuts and the nuts are only slightly smaller than normal. The important thing to notice in this photo is how much open space there is around the tree. In a year of short water supply this Caney tree has very little competition from other trees for water.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIpjy94c4GctLhCY35Q2fv3n9XpW6CDYkGPiypQ2pNBLgOAv6l3HwS4RZ6M8Us2d7kSX9DNbCzMiWBLbtVqpMjcCq8Gxs0fJfAFckkkyGzDIkN0T527PIIkLhHCHvjisDcOuinx-voc9YiNH6T5P5GpIJAl26hP49oK9XhsmC2AHkKPCIjFuP7iEtg/s2424/Mature%20caney%20tree%20crowded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="1832" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIpjy94c4GctLhCY35Q2fv3n9XpW6CDYkGPiypQ2pNBLgOAv6l3HwS4RZ6M8Us2d7kSX9DNbCzMiWBLbtVqpMjcCq8Gxs0fJfAFckkkyGzDIkN0T527PIIkLhHCHvjisDcOuinx-voc9YiNH6T5P5GpIJAl26hP49oK9XhsmC2AHkKPCIjFuP7iEtg/w312-h413/Mature%20caney%20tree%20crowded.JPG" width="312" /></a></div> The photo at left shows the original Caney tree growing in my pecan breeding block. This tree is much larger (28 yrs. old) and is crowded by other large trees (note the shade on the ground). Note the yellowing of some of this tree's leaves. This is an indication of extreme water stress caused by the competition for water from neighboring large trees. Although there is a good crop of nuts on the tree, the nuts are tiny.<br /><p></p><p><br /> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v0B4Rw93af4UPMLtF_wT4-4ANXB4m7Akbzar0NThTH4_rGFoYxjsvurfZEQQggTJr5aY7TrU_TnpNHLxsitQSEFqeTxQAb23YD08_8JDeKgaaa4ehCielicWiABtHUq3aMK1PFk0_TXkq5hIH7AAT5EgucjGQtZOOtgvUq8aCAeSkE-qRXXdS3d3ug/s2430/young%20vs%20mature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="2430" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v0B4Rw93af4UPMLtF_wT4-4ANXB4m7Akbzar0NThTH4_rGFoYxjsvurfZEQQggTJr5aY7TrU_TnpNHLxsitQSEFqeTxQAb23YD08_8JDeKgaaa4ehCielicWiABtHUq3aMK1PFk0_TXkq5hIH7AAT5EgucjGQtZOOtgvUq8aCAeSkE-qRXXdS3d3ug/w529-h278/young%20vs%20mature.jpg" width="529" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> The photo above illustrates the differences I observed in the nuts produced by the young, well-spaced Caney tree and the mature, crowded Caney tree. First there is the obvious size difference. But secondly, note that the nuts produced by the young tree have split shuck while shucks are still firmly attached over the nuts collected from the mature tree. This simple observation leads me to a very important decision; After harvest, I need thin out more trees in the pecan breeding block.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsqwcEW95Sihfbsj6OwSQ7Ts96Zd94pOv_NsOwlaQWuyGAFs_ArmfIKnlY0zgfs_d-6F_aKy9UkIJDJmjhASLvarzZEp08jb2K4qARrgddKiKFtfUggRz8VsB92uaC-5o6UkedsNSgN8oMJ7xooY7_4aCesUJGPFIbG1lQIxaL81E94dDlQmCXmdDVg/s2342/Caney%20nuts%20at%20shuck%20split.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="2342" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsqwcEW95Sihfbsj6OwSQ7Ts96Zd94pOv_NsOwlaQWuyGAFs_ArmfIKnlY0zgfs_d-6F_aKy9UkIJDJmjhASLvarzZEp08jb2K4qARrgddKiKFtfUggRz8VsB92uaC-5o6UkedsNSgN8oMJ7xooY7_4aCesUJGPFIbG1lQIxaL81E94dDlQmCXmdDVg/w538-h242/Caney%20nuts%20at%20shuck%20split.JPG" width="538" /></a></div> Caney is one of the scab-resistant cultivars I developed from my pecan breeding project. The photo above gives you a good idea of what Caney nuts look like. Over the years, Caney has produced nuts that are larger than Kanza with nearly 53% kernel. Caney matures a week before Kanza. This cultivar has a protandrous flowering habit making it a good pollen pairing for Kanza. Kernels are straw-colored and have excellent quality. <br /><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-317087372964088812022-09-28T21:04:00.002-05:002022-09-28T21:04:43.466-05:00Severe drought impacts pecan production<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKcCVK5AuPj5PEgVs0kLJ7ZvGe39XAbD4KMY-z5kp7mZqUdhKA-816oswOeCe4NfyFfSk7EEd8ZnmJLbZBjBjrtTAwaT60sakiJkkyTT4Fdv89QW6iD2TO1XNPFEF1t1np0-T299pXQRsTR0zWlQK0VKROKW9RzU0o9VGA-t1_BxJ0OY9Ih7VEiN6Og/s1056/drought%20map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1056" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKcCVK5AuPj5PEgVs0kLJ7ZvGe39XAbD4KMY-z5kp7mZqUdhKA-816oswOeCe4NfyFfSk7EEd8ZnmJLbZBjBjrtTAwaT60sakiJkkyTT4Fdv89QW6iD2TO1XNPFEF1t1np0-T299pXQRsTR0zWlQK0VKROKW9RzU0o9VGA-t1_BxJ0OY9Ih7VEiN6Og/w497-h384/drought%20map.png" width="497" /></a></div><br /> For the past 4 months, I have watched clouds pass over SE Kansas without dropping significant rainfall. According to the National Weather Service, my farm in Cherokee County (extreme SE corner of Kansas) is experiencing an Exceptional Drought (figure above). I've lived through several Kansas droughts but this year is most memorable because of its extended duration. Extreme drought, although uncommon in SE Kansas has occurred several times in the past 100 years. The Dust Bowl of the 1930's is probably the most historically significant drought to impact Kansas agriculture. However, other exceptionally dry periods occurred during the 1950's and as recent as 2012-2013.<p></p><p> The dry weather has definitely illustrated why pecan trees prefer growing in the deep soils found in river flood plains. These soils have a large sub-surface reservoir of water that can move up through the soil profile to keep pecan trees green and growing. However, this year's limited water supply has impacted the 2022 nut crop. Nut size and kernel fill will both be reduced. Many trees aborted a portion of their nut crop in mid-summer due to drought. I have also noted that shuck-split is delayed compared to normal years. </p><p> Now that the days are getting shorter, I should have more time to post on this blog. As you might expect, the drought of 2022 will color my observations for the remainder of this crop year. <br /></p><p> <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-56942470594450546422022-07-12T16:52:00.003-05:002022-08-03T19:58:43.618-05:00 Young tree's growth response to spring time directive pruning<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3C111gcNT7wvwvNuJ6fps9B0_YU3BoAvAHcw7_Hkvy3wfLdMQrkq8SJ0Rk0hMf9lsjGbvk0BYeuuItJND1wQql3w6hCbgxvUfPpuvE7z3fzkBHprIDgTaEKiEV8kHVvzs9B6D7uxu9nMx644Sg5HS2Y9mfIFF_N8aOgcoPb0s2kOM7whvl1OfauyQw/s943/directive%20pruning%201.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="943" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3C111gcNT7wvwvNuJ6fps9B0_YU3BoAvAHcw7_Hkvy3wfLdMQrkq8SJ0Rk0hMf9lsjGbvk0BYeuuItJND1wQql3w6hCbgxvUfPpuvE7z3fzkBHprIDgTaEKiEV8kHVvzs9B6D7uxu9nMx644Sg5HS2Y9mfIFF_N8aOgcoPb0s2kOM7whvl1OfauyQw/s320/directive%20pruning%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> In previous posts, I've stressed the importance of practicing directive pruning during the spring flush of growth to encourage the development of a strong central leader. The photos at right show the pruning cuts I took back in late May of this year. At first glance, it looks like I'm trying to create a single-stemmed tree with no side shoots. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_45QsZpf4o9EwnE5qjHosqJMQ7jBd1awwgypYtQtG-_vNmJNRHfBL9iaugkzzPahaoKkm1dmGCWm_7KxyIabTbf4qV5ZanhkP9CuhdnGMBvVx1pxgiLDh45-hL2doG_qO_HiyozZj8PpvePT67eYhSx-wj0YTi59Ktl2dOe2VorSxOsZr0N6k7bAasA/s938/directive%20pruning%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="938" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_45QsZpf4o9EwnE5qjHosqJMQ7jBd1awwgypYtQtG-_vNmJNRHfBL9iaugkzzPahaoKkm1dmGCWm_7KxyIabTbf4qV5ZanhkP9CuhdnGMBvVx1pxgiLDh45-hL2doG_qO_HiyozZj8PpvePT67eYhSx-wj0YTi59Ktl2dOe2VorSxOsZr0N6k7bAasA/s320/directive%20pruning%202.jpg" width="320" /></a>However, that is not the case at all. These early-season pruning cuts
are designed with the single focus of promoting a single central leader. New lateral branches
will develop, but later in the season and at much more desirable branch
angles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE4YMlkj8WwlLc1WzvsTuKATURdYB0pV4lMe3u2N26yAZkUsqgp4zNP_ucy7ify499HSm2_UAb--Xq5gd4d0F-l9j_4SgVXCUMQSc7RPC8FeJKYTs1fvgQzOysO4O4OMTBWdOSPY528U3jnCUnHntXjLKm7Iyd6gXswJjKXjjGF8OwpOOCz-eHEz--Q/s3008/DSC_0012.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE4YMlkj8WwlLc1WzvsTuKATURdYB0pV4lMe3u2N26yAZkUsqgp4zNP_ucy7ify499HSm2_UAb--Xq5gd4d0F-l9j_4SgVXCUMQSc7RPC8FeJKYTs1fvgQzOysO4O4OMTBWdOSPY528U3jnCUnHntXjLKm7Iyd6gXswJjKXjjGF8OwpOOCz-eHEz--Q/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> In mid June, I returned to the tree that I pruned in May. In the photo at left you can see that I have successfully maintained a single central leader. But you should also notice that there are now numerous lateral shoots sprouting out from the trunk all below the new central leader.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3MQ22R8uhVW_hC9GJbauC8yKqiX3J9oavH272K7rsMh7RuwlfyetjhpHIXXdKP-RT6PvkfENqn93E39fQMH5bm1D9ax6OLn_71QKS1zOA2ynI41GNqgAV_-vC1cnZvFKNiLPTD_FYEYNTHBSHdp2s4uDz_hwNO37YO1qyyCavndi5qTaUDk5gDWGig/s3008/DSC_0011.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3MQ22R8uhVW_hC9GJbauC8yKqiX3J9oavH272K7rsMh7RuwlfyetjhpHIXXdKP-RT6PvkfENqn93E39fQMH5bm1D9ax6OLn_71QKS1zOA2ynI41GNqgAV_-vC1cnZvFKNiLPTD_FYEYNTHBSHdp2s4uDz_hwNO37YO1qyyCavndi5qTaUDk5gDWGig/w303-h455/DSC_0011.JPG" width="303" /></a></div> On closer inspection (photo at right), you will note that the new lateral shoots are growing from secondary buds that are located just below each pruning wound (the pruning cuts I made in May). It is also important to note that these new shoots are growing out at a wide angle from the trunk. These shoots will develop into strong well-anchored branches that resist wind and ice breakage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CdHAnCkNAEax8VhIJ7osGQtgOFEmojMHHMJXUDCcwHMKIPNbi90c5nEg-YER3U4qwmjtYVpweGYOv40odzn7Vec3m0LXfxutsQqQpmwNjQLglGxQX4PhraV1q5vsDGkdn3izsthnN3Irb9AH8ZBdg8uHm_jLG0kZ-8pJjjWhrzGEe_y0OZLXRO_1og/s3008/lateral%20branches%209%20july%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CdHAnCkNAEax8VhIJ7osGQtgOFEmojMHHMJXUDCcwHMKIPNbi90c5nEg-YER3U4qwmjtYVpweGYOv40odzn7Vec3m0LXfxutsQqQpmwNjQLglGxQX4PhraV1q5vsDGkdn3izsthnN3Irb9AH8ZBdg8uHm_jLG0kZ-8pJjjWhrzGEe_y0OZLXRO_1og/w290-h436/lateral%20branches%209%20july%202022.JPG" width="290" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFRy8JMWQ2ItsTo7noHITEUrOnwtoQ_tigO3p3FRpMsHB-QTp7DuyGPY28U8S2dcd0FetnNhrUBfdSIDyuMwKZSiFr7Alrs_RLm1UxFtMcD7QKvbgyxr5ipmLTanhmtAFNroFPvSug7dKwE9AyzP15v_5LVy35wTddHc6Jypl--KcAQ6Qjz_8dUaxjg/s3008/DSC_0007.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> By early July, all of the new lateral limbs are growing nicely (photo at left). It won't be long before I have well bushed out tree all while keeping a single central leader. I'll leave all these lateral branches on the young tree to help promote trunk diameter growth. The increased leaf area on the trunk catches more wind which, in turn, promotes a strengthening and thickening of the trunk. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cgFsqIvq1mcVgCQFVFnZp-8LYsl1Q-KLceACLkDhAuoQci_QrrfJ08YGU0ObaFtnMBkkXa0o-iaeAHmXh04lGdPnIPSoJDEPZ0Ntqdt7eZqux5JkJLtaH4yy5LYNkUumoSuIKqkrgXKRu32bPD6O4e2-lU4h5NwJjincLw30ivyAeK_XjQeXi_9YvA/s956/stalked%20buds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="956" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cgFsqIvq1mcVgCQFVFnZp-8LYsl1Q-KLceACLkDhAuoQci_QrrfJ08YGU0ObaFtnMBkkXa0o-iaeAHmXh04lGdPnIPSoJDEPZ0Ntqdt7eZqux5JkJLtaH4yy5LYNkUumoSuIKqkrgXKRu32bPD6O4e2-lU4h5NwJjincLw30ivyAeK_XjQeXi_9YvA/w522-h384/stalked%20buds.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Young, rapidly-growing trees need training throughout the summer months. Pruning cuts made to strengthen the dominance of the central leader usually means that <a href="http://northernpecans.blogspot.com/2011/07/training-young-trees-stalked-buds.html" target="_blank"><b>stalked buds</b></a> will start to form in mid-summer on the central leader near the top of the tree. Left to grow, stalked buds will produce narrow-angled branches that develop a bark inclusion at their base. If all the stalked buds that form on a central leader are allowed to grow, a pecan tree will become top heavy and take on a broom-like appearance (at the top of the tree). I pinch off all stalked buds as soon as I see them to preserve the central leader (photo above).<br /></div><p> <br /> <br /></p><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-18548551580945397962022-06-16T22:08:00.000-05:002022-06-16T22:08:07.665-05:00Pecan nut casebearer arrives late<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9DdN3VyrSYOsuD4R5qLqTKQdqQUL0rpp4qDwEPSY6Q1DhfwkU2afxjb4p8LJQq_dcAgSrnxlB3dLP6khF3JzU6Ny3IVVc-uZUd__l1nCkJfbM7Kk5DxgDGiqgp71O9j73EGS7fQXW5RNNba9wtJ5Q8d3MQsrD6hCCeDzOZvQERVXLGVn0DfayNSbWw/s723/first%20entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="549" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9DdN3VyrSYOsuD4R5qLqTKQdqQUL0rpp4qDwEPSY6Q1DhfwkU2afxjb4p8LJQq_dcAgSrnxlB3dLP6khF3JzU6Ny3IVVc-uZUd__l1nCkJfbM7Kk5DxgDGiqgp71O9j73EGS7fQXW5RNNba9wtJ5Q8d3MQsrD6hCCeDzOZvQERVXLGVn0DfayNSbWw/w339-h446/first%20entry.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br /> Every year I scout my pecan orchard for pecan nut casebearer damage to young nuts. Damage from this insect is easy to recognize by the pile of insect frass at the base of a nut and the silken threads that connect the damaged nut to the pedicel (photo at right). Left unchecked, a single pecan nut casebearer larvae will destroy 3 to 4 nuts in a cluster. <p></p><p> The first evidence of casebearer nut damage this year occurred a week later than normal. However, now that this first summer generation has started, the above average temperatures predicted for the next 10 days will cause the casebearer population to expand rapidly. I found the first damaged cluster on Wednesday June 16th and started spraying early Thursday morning.</p><p> When spraying during a heat wave, I try to start at first light and quit around 11:00 am. Once temperatures start to approach 90 degrees F spray droplets can evaporate before they ever hit the foliage. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqjqYhS2E7OvsMTUc8G5xFtStKeNq1180iEkE1ZwKPRcWAjyXeu5_2iQ-Wqjf3211QKwrBkjkSR60uJkDIOSOgcS5sQF-nF_5IRoiq9MCukjI9RPe_mQEuddYVxD3WYgakcVy7wxajCyEIaDcCmREdcPjDFZsHcHT4VlYG-JAV0Cg7PFQ0dkHM0HAWg/s629/post%20pollination%20vs%20post%20fertilization.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="629" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqjqYhS2E7OvsMTUc8G5xFtStKeNq1180iEkE1ZwKPRcWAjyXeu5_2iQ-Wqjf3211QKwrBkjkSR60uJkDIOSOgcS5sQF-nF_5IRoiq9MCukjI9RPe_mQEuddYVxD3WYgakcVy7wxajCyEIaDcCmREdcPjDFZsHcHT4VlYG-JAV0Cg7PFQ0dkHM0HAWg/w503-h369/post%20pollination%20vs%20post%20fertilization.jpg" width="503" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinated flowers vs. Fertilized Nuts <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Long before I found the first casebearer damaged nut, I knew things were running late by watching the developing nuts. When a female flower becomes pollinated the stigma becomes dry and black, however, it takes a little time for the pollen tube to grow down into the nut and become united with the ovule. Once the nut is fertilized, it starts to swell and the sepals (leaf like projections just below the stigma) will point straight up. This year, nuts didn't show the normal signs of fertilization until June 14th. A day after most sepals were pointing up, I found my first casebearer. Over the years, this relationship between nut development and the first sign of casebearer activity has been very consistent. In fact, I now use observations of nut development as the primary method for timing a pesticide application to control casebearer. <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-45816707665533291802022-05-26T16:33:00.000-05:002022-05-26T16:33:52.718-05:00Directive pruning last year's grafts<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlyvq77qmhbgfdboZjGwvTy_SiU3CZahG0Y6F9TClwr_K8TIaRHPpAbBFWZDWuS0URdg7WyGfZPSXLt-NJ3tnw_ke5LIcig7rtFsTY23uVnDZGo4RMAj6Z873O2eY1X7SxWVwhostCv0ay9NCtZgaVmbCmfiXRvUOLx7zD-u5_b1xAU4Rfa1VAfHgzg/s3008/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlyvq77qmhbgfdboZjGwvTy_SiU3CZahG0Y6F9TClwr_K8TIaRHPpAbBFWZDWuS0URdg7WyGfZPSXLt-NJ3tnw_ke5LIcig7rtFsTY23uVnDZGo4RMAj6Z873O2eY1X7SxWVwhostCv0ay9NCtZgaVmbCmfiXRvUOLx7zD-u5_b1xAU4Rfa1VAfHgzg/w313-h470/DSC_0003.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><br /> Once I finish up grafting for this year, I turn my attention to pruning last year's successful grafts. The photo at right illustrates the typical appearance of a young grafted tree in its second leaf. Last year, I carefully pruned the graft to ensure a single, strong central leader. But this spring, the tree popped multiple new shoots from the terminal of last year's growth. If allowed to remain for the rest of this summer, these multiple shoots will create what is commonly known as a crow's foot and I will have lost my central leader. That is why I'm such a strong proponent of directive pruning. By pruning during the period of active shoot grow, I can "<i>direct"</i> the tree's new growth into maintaining a single leader.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvxeqtQQlO0KKr6JIyXZsHpUvaSfhXXHwMeqmPGgulx8QmTV703RGXXRlSZKSBJBpzJ0B1iCWHMOhnvtEuna3u-4Gv_CDuPrJ_fekQ37p8wJDBdLASjRkiWUDpiqj5acsAbQr0Gjfux6DMWdKHciLakW0Ez2y1wf2d8_pAHqDwmU8j1QqM3wmsM1_Ew/s943/directive%20pruning%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="943" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvxeqtQQlO0KKr6JIyXZsHpUvaSfhXXHwMeqmPGgulx8QmTV703RGXXRlSZKSBJBpzJ0B1iCWHMOhnvtEuna3u-4Gv_CDuPrJ_fekQ37p8wJDBdLASjRkiWUDpiqj5acsAbQr0Gjfux6DMWdKHciLakW0Ez2y1wf2d8_pAHqDwmU8j1QqM3wmsM1_Ew/w516-h321/directive%20pruning%201.jpg" width="516" /></a></div> The photos above shows the terminal of my young grafted tree. Three shoots have developed at the very top of the tree. I identify the strongest growing shoot among the three and then prune out the others.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rqHROvK0BY4KCLCQTPGiLg7zBDYAycmz-2Br3nnMD8O2T7emiCCnWrQvl26kC4IxRQd_T2iqMvCDf9Dl8BM9gWCheDznKT93kddH1f7_qPUNqP6_wUn8sga201U51ZBPoJAV-Byn34hpJibArcMNf3Z8fGkAYMeSFDRJm-LpMODR8DL1bdjx1vdU_g/s938/directive%20pruning%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="938" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rqHROvK0BY4KCLCQTPGiLg7zBDYAycmz-2Br3nnMD8O2T7emiCCnWrQvl26kC4IxRQd_T2iqMvCDf9Dl8BM9gWCheDznKT93kddH1f7_qPUNqP6_wUn8sga201U51ZBPoJAV-Byn34hpJibArcMNf3Z8fGkAYMeSFDRJm-LpMODR8DL1bdjx1vdU_g/w529-h391/directive%20pruning%202.jpg" width="529" /></a></div><br /> To help focus the tree's growth energy into my new central leader, I also remove all lateral branches that arise from the main stem within the top 2 feet of the tree (measuring from the top of this year's new shoot growth). (photo above)<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO7YODd229hncNeK8WdTQ93YT5F7PNjJ3gLYAmCPSvlk38Foetz2jhSIz3FGMqOpeCGLCALenEp7pfA6A-KjCqabC5tdB4wcThPl9BwkrOVP17dcjkF5QQmWBocJcJmoH8Byu-FMtwoxqQFzarKitNVmk0GM3_gtNSi1K18zhE6jpKOYcVa_z2lTcWw/s3008/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO7YODd229hncNeK8WdTQ93YT5F7PNjJ3gLYAmCPSvlk38Foetz2jhSIz3FGMqOpeCGLCALenEp7pfA6A-KjCqabC5tdB4wcThPl9BwkrOVP17dcjkF5QQmWBocJcJmoH8Byu-FMtwoxqQFzarKitNVmk0GM3_gtNSi1K18zhE6jpKOYcVa_z2lTcWw/w297-h446/DSC_0023.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><p> Since I still have the bamboo stake in place from last year, I tied the tree upright to encourage to formation of a straight tree trunk. Later this summer, I'll probably replace the bamboo with a longer (and stronger) tree stake that will help me keep this tree growing the way I want. I allow lateral branches to develop lower down on trunk (but above the graft union). Lateral branches will increase tree leaf area helping to capture more sunlight to produce the carbohydrates needed to sustain rapid tree growth. These lateral limbs also catch more wind which in turn promotes trunk diameter growth.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNaXphxssbzagYyt0IKHQg5BVUQUqSitS2_utfTGMS_VDFcGam9wrNDuIHKAfSjQnKInpEd_QMkrEV4nI5C7jt8NpJlHv_ceRoPMqy06uVAeAgJjSLB9PR8HzGa_DR0wh5W5Tt7n_dNUN8EZHEGKVAaPyBo3YdX3eKidXdDFEYCp_B8ilHJJV4TdNhQ/s2860/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="1568" height="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNaXphxssbzagYyt0IKHQg5BVUQUqSitS2_utfTGMS_VDFcGam9wrNDuIHKAfSjQnKInpEd_QMkrEV4nI5C7jt8NpJlHv_ceRoPMqy06uVAeAgJjSLB9PR8HzGa_DR0wh5W5Tt7n_dNUN8EZHEGKVAaPyBo3YdX3eKidXdDFEYCp_B8ilHJJV4TdNhQ/w309-h565/DSC_0026.JPG" width="309" /></a></div> The photo at right is another example of a graft in its second leaf. In the past, I've called these trees "lolly-pop" trees because of the ball of new growth at the top of the tree. This tree also needs directive pruning.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP52nfCjc5CkFAl0nCNWcudYvVd8kXX54SjfWFiwxuSD2WCS0zP31uSt2O2zyShbwe7xNO2wuM_mW69DQN7JUD7wBI63Bq4v0Cqb-gul0YGuUQsa4fRDUMBnF09x4NRMTiinl0Alpx279KPbG-raUEJBMuJBTScYHFV0Nrcg0uSAt3nPEt7d32kQJCA/s834/directive%20pruning%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="834" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP52nfCjc5CkFAl0nCNWcudYvVd8kXX54SjfWFiwxuSD2WCS0zP31uSt2O2zyShbwe7xNO2wuM_mW69DQN7JUD7wBI63Bq4v0Cqb-gul0YGuUQsa4fRDUMBnF09x4NRMTiinl0Alpx279KPbG-raUEJBMuJBTScYHFV0Nrcg0uSAt3nPEt7d32kQJCA/w532-h389/directive%20pruning%203.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><p></p><p> Whenever I go to prune a young tree, I always start at the top and work my way down. In this example, I have three shoots growing at the terminal but it appears I already have a strong central shoot. However, to reinforce the dominance of this new central leader, I'll prune off all competitors. Again, I stick to the 2 foot rule--No lateral branches within the top 2 feet of the central leader.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WD8zMXfTx6j1w1z428WBG04feHfNaqyZM5e54utzqdyf0lqnrsluYywSHfj-qzd6VgA4cKiqjrMcvaJ7iXRG1ZjYxi-idx00NcAheFgWg2yVuVV_IZuZjW-vdjn6JYvXtn-b38pjHZkDwz0Mu-6AJnqTeD9rur3wWqIUfC3Kac-mLiQWMm4Z86oUjw/s717/directive%20pruning%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="475" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WD8zMXfTx6j1w1z428WBG04feHfNaqyZM5e54utzqdyf0lqnrsluYywSHfj-qzd6VgA4cKiqjrMcvaJ7iXRG1ZjYxi-idx00NcAheFgWg2yVuVV_IZuZjW-vdjn6JYvXtn-b38pjHZkDwz0Mu-6AJnqTeD9rur3wWqIUfC3Kac-mLiQWMm4Z86oUjw/w364-h549/directive%20pruning%204.jpg" width="364" /></a></div> Once I finished pruning I noticed that I already had a couple of lateral buds breaking further down on the stem (photo at right). I make sure I leave these in place for now. <p></p><p> Many grower make the mistake of pruning all lateral branches off as soon as possible. Their thought is that by removing low limbs the tree will grow taller, faster. However this is not the case. Removing all laterals only serves to create a tall thin tree that bends over under it own weight, often snapping in a good wind storm. Nut production will also be delayed by over-pruning lateral limbs. <br /></p><p> On my trees, I leave lateral branches on the tree until the tree has developed a nice full crown. At that point, I start to remove one or two low limbs each year. My goal is to develop a tree with 8 to 10 feet of clear trunk. However, it usually takes 12 to 15 years to get to that point.<br /> <br /></p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-79178171167702781802022-05-18T22:21:00.000-05:002022-05-18T22:21:00.130-05:00Notes on pecan pollination<p><br /> Last weekend I took advantage of calm winds and sunny skies to photograph pecan flowering and pollination. I also like to scout my orchard at this time of year to get a feel for this year's nut crop. During the month of May, my trees are always covered with catkins--the long worm-like structures that hang down from last year's shoot growth. Male flowers (pollen sacs) cover each catkin and eventually split open to release millions of yellow pollen grains into the air to hopefully find their way to a receptive female bloom.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAWe0v5Txgz3rSMKaE7iqqQvifXYkeIdeLyRqY2OvGnkJkHxd67SPADxnAYUGHqr8UOigSewtCdAJQx86UCOuH2BbRTJibdQJWkGbXC3qnE0jW6pWi0M4xCjdoH7u22lWK7XDsvkN8fiNpwuG1rv3GrLrQz2et0IerbYm4LbkUggsgv3itiFf1Gbv0w/s1399/Kanza%20pistals%20pollinated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1399" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAWe0v5Txgz3rSMKaE7iqqQvifXYkeIdeLyRqY2OvGnkJkHxd67SPADxnAYUGHqr8UOigSewtCdAJQx86UCOuH2BbRTJibdQJWkGbXC3qnE0jW6pWi0M4xCjdoH7u22lWK7XDsvkN8fiNpwuG1rv3GrLrQz2et0IerbYm4LbkUggsgv3itiFf1Gbv0w/s320/Kanza%20pistals%20pollinated.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Pecan female blooms are not very showy (photo at right) and can be found at the terminal new spring shoot growth. Look carefully at the flower cluster in the photo and you will note that the ends of each flower (the stigmatal surface) has started to turn dark brown-black indicating these flowers have been pollinated. The flower cluster pictured here is from a Kanza tree. Kanza is a protogynous cultivar meaning the female flowers on the tree become receptive early in the pollination season while Kanza pollen is released late.<p></p><p> When scouting my orchard for yield potential, I concentrate on counting the number of terminals on a tree that have developed female flower clusters. The good news for my orchard is that the 2022 crop looks very promising at this point.</p><p>On my trip around the orchard, I decided to concentrate recording the flowering habits of the pecan cultivars originating from my breeding project. I took 2 photos of each cultivar. The first shows the entire fruiting shoot. The second is a close-up of a female flower cluster. All photos were taken on May 14th. I've noted the flowering habit of each cultivar.</p><p>CANEY - PROTANDROUS</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0MPWJgwJp-4iR83aoy3uhqTc_cCUjAp--j_Qyt-SxpGsjUwPG2GY1CwllfnKXLrJiJgNhNPJ5fNKUI7m8H9jYksRsdR2MXof1t7fJTAqbtkKEiLNfyPoqquI5z1Not0alEpj8ut9l5BBXUh4YwsUPueShfJdzY1L_jhKYV-yu-NNbLa-W51cmCbNpQ/s3008/Caney%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0MPWJgwJp-4iR83aoy3uhqTc_cCUjAp--j_Qyt-SxpGsjUwPG2GY1CwllfnKXLrJiJgNhNPJ5fNKUI7m8H9jYksRsdR2MXof1t7fJTAqbtkKEiLNfyPoqquI5z1Not0alEpj8ut9l5BBXUh4YwsUPueShfJdzY1L_jhKYV-yu-NNbLa-W51cmCbNpQ/w487-h324/Caney%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="487" /></a></div>Caney was actively shedding pollen at the time this photo was taken.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7SFGOSJBy3SXTx8m5eB05Icpfx6BobkwKDErNEY5ZL7FjxUDGuw90JZHQbJJN4Qh33_97GLHfG4hZMaljRJ63VR0_d46HQowOzPaBPoPaZ0s9GocGOIMnimgHexalgLR43QQOfJQ69D80L-9tCR3ykKC2wj7t1A_g51r6ZwBXJih-7ZciEUVa2bprQ/s1819/Caney%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="1819" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7SFGOSJBy3SXTx8m5eB05Icpfx6BobkwKDErNEY5ZL7FjxUDGuw90JZHQbJJN4Qh33_97GLHfG4hZMaljRJ63VR0_d46HQowOzPaBPoPaZ0s9GocGOIMnimgHexalgLR43QQOfJQ69D80L-9tCR3ykKC2wj7t1A_g51r6ZwBXJih-7ZciEUVa2bprQ/s320/Caney%20pistals.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Caney pistillate flowers were still growing and not yet receptive. The stigmas will be bright red at receptivity.<p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> EARLTON - PROTOGYNOUS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCq17vpCwR0iFnIqVeOn_Wgookh0IaIvX3e5vJ2-ogTYJSWX5ec2uuBTC2LzYn7b4bAgmXXl7SYnpuVhQFqwqLY9078xTpTyIb1y535qQkYKkjAt2z_YR2ZKW8tdkOKzZxJMhz26n6ILvoZqVSAeM1uO9H2fULJjdR-6DZHXDj-o0IlMDoY-OHBegSw/s3008/Earlton%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCq17vpCwR0iFnIqVeOn_Wgookh0IaIvX3e5vJ2-ogTYJSWX5ec2uuBTC2LzYn7b4bAgmXXl7SYnpuVhQFqwqLY9078xTpTyIb1y535qQkYKkjAt2z_YR2ZKW8tdkOKzZxJMhz26n6ILvoZqVSAeM1uO9H2fULJjdR-6DZHXDj-o0IlMDoY-OHBegSw/w516-h343/Earlton%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><p>Earlton has long slender catkins typical of protogynous cultivars.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2cemDbZcbo-xp6MzACMIBDwcJvuV7YLpafn_4lOB-R9--45EGCJ6fR9n-sJ4B3rNCIfybHKJ5uXcmTKOhb93a_klaQLdYRAIt_lBPFIicZx6TXtKzrZvuEJYTyrFjoyTUldBCGy_omBNC0-XEW9S76E96a7MTN4srJvHiLcRUchGDk0kyhFpbjaK-w/s1792/Earlton%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="1792" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2cemDbZcbo-xp6MzACMIBDwcJvuV7YLpafn_4lOB-R9--45EGCJ6fR9n-sJ4B3rNCIfybHKJ5uXcmTKOhb93a_klaQLdYRAIt_lBPFIicZx6TXtKzrZvuEJYTyrFjoyTUldBCGy_omBNC0-XEW9S76E96a7MTN4srJvHiLcRUchGDk0kyhFpbjaK-w/s320/Earlton%20pistals.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />A Earlton flower cluster shows signs of already being pollinated.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>LABETTE - PROTOGYNOUS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1c0kCgNTZNXILJH-Uce_vkJD6mgvUdsdk9qmFMyJl_CE0EiCFQoSqtZSqU4EDITVugXNjeqYtM4IbMIFNgJe_VMXcNhPg4vOg7uSiopNxRhl2HLL5NY4fvPGLOBu3AQ_8j200vqSCxGIjqZXi-x9xpvCZ_Ro8mvG4TTBlT5_KzeN7Z-3Z0UHJ9lcZQ/s3008/Labette%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1c0kCgNTZNXILJH-Uce_vkJD6mgvUdsdk9qmFMyJl_CE0EiCFQoSqtZSqU4EDITVugXNjeqYtM4IbMIFNgJe_VMXcNhPg4vOg7uSiopNxRhl2HLL5NY4fvPGLOBu3AQ_8j200vqSCxGIjqZXi-x9xpvCZ_Ro8mvG4TTBlT5_KzeN7Z-3Z0UHJ9lcZQ/w326-h490/Labette%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="326" /></a></div><p>Look carefully. See if you can spot the female flower cluster held at the end of the new Labette shoot. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzitAwqV8q54DJSWYE7zFWL81I_0Pv_WhoDKJGa3vjlegf_FG_hqlX6ipZiGIkajg8jF7zfPVGMk5G75R31m0N1LHZHMYEFFOis9ZYxuA4uPN3bp4YDZYk-D-idQXt6e4X88oFqhAf1i-dq3rLLLddWzDLFSsCWjav6y4qOQ4MmJYkoukHBMI_y7Edg/s1477/Labette%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1477" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzitAwqV8q54DJSWYE7zFWL81I_0Pv_WhoDKJGa3vjlegf_FG_hqlX6ipZiGIkajg8jF7zfPVGMk5G75R31m0N1LHZHMYEFFOis9ZYxuA4uPN3bp4YDZYk-D-idQXt6e4X88oFqhAf1i-dq3rLLLddWzDLFSsCWjav6y4qOQ4MmJYkoukHBMI_y7Edg/s320/Labette%20pistals.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Labette female flowers look ready to receive pollen.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>LIBERTY - PROTANDROUS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAIEO843ppZUR8eNtpi0MXS7NYBDlqU_dP8RVA_Wpjf5pMc3OYMc74bv2bsksm0ehjI9bEyLn9gObvm2E5B6D6bXxj9jGV9PBa4RwF-U7zPmpOAoeia7M3rHcR2Qt-o_-8kS8PYN_8MJQUa3shSVi3s_gnx-5SIeIwWngVmU9-YrJOYp2CSH5wEt5rg/s3008/Liberty%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAIEO843ppZUR8eNtpi0MXS7NYBDlqU_dP8RVA_Wpjf5pMc3OYMc74bv2bsksm0ehjI9bEyLn9gObvm2E5B6D6bXxj9jGV9PBa4RwF-U7zPmpOAoeia7M3rHcR2Qt-o_-8kS8PYN_8MJQUa3shSVi3s_gnx-5SIeIwWngVmU9-YrJOYp2CSH5wEt5rg/w490-h326/Liberty%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><p>Liberty was shedding pollen and should make a good pollinator for Kanza.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz1_0G0ULVZbllv4xVwx_EzehFzl7319MPTFPBTb85hH8o5cBOvi1tNGYi92MJHpswhxzebsxQ-dKgsY3_o4Wj3BNExEYLAGyxKffqOTsTGQi2VCfxtXvjXKwqtKCbzhs9V_cY4_wv2_Vv-gdxxl5i-Z5LY_HzhcHX__wax9Xdy0u9z4KRvHf8uKu_A/s1552/Liberty%20pistals%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1552" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz1_0G0ULVZbllv4xVwx_EzehFzl7319MPTFPBTb85hH8o5cBOvi1tNGYi92MJHpswhxzebsxQ-dKgsY3_o4Wj3BNExEYLAGyxKffqOTsTGQi2VCfxtXvjXKwqtKCbzhs9V_cY4_wv2_Vv-gdxxl5i-Z5LY_HzhcHX__wax9Xdy0u9z4KRvHf8uKu_A/s320/Liberty%20pistals%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Liberty female flowers were still growing in size. Stigmas will be red in color.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>PLEASANTON - PROTOGYNOUS<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPVwJFlKhNYo2hVPGbEURNaQyCD1BFULgvghSaAv-i32IBK9Rnfb386pUKaeXupoQgtxXhRZSnzzylQSMB0GZqcUtHWpxdx1284B6rrs7RRHo4yr4j6ML7aHCUOxv9pENign6xV7rWDiPozOG5kU9XNTAuHVFgBV_qJmATIxXiEElukFDs5LMvPs2sg/s2791/Pleasanton%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="2791" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPVwJFlKhNYo2hVPGbEURNaQyCD1BFULgvghSaAv-i32IBK9Rnfb386pUKaeXupoQgtxXhRZSnzzylQSMB0GZqcUtHWpxdx1284B6rrs7RRHo4yr4j6ML7aHCUOxv9pENign6xV7rWDiPozOG5kU9XNTAuHVFgBV_qJmATIxXiEElukFDs5LMvPs2sg/w524-h345/Pleasanton%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="524" /></a></div><p>Pleasanton catkins are starting to turn yellow in color. It won't be long before pollen sacs start to open and release their pollen grains.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaf5loJ39y8_xJuNL_A9FeoobXuNHLzEFPFPdGpBynmdVF8H3ZN3eRjsTTqYIdAPhAs4QevZODwGzoGd7GrVRArwCwkQB7or2umbXiivrUg7itpFZXw0v9M92lG_k8v1Gjg_Ci6CRnDD0MrRwoNa5b00uUtHSsCSYbzLahxN-_mCRH1nNnI4TT-N5EQ/s1612/Pleasanton%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1612" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaf5loJ39y8_xJuNL_A9FeoobXuNHLzEFPFPdGpBynmdVF8H3ZN3eRjsTTqYIdAPhAs4QevZODwGzoGd7GrVRArwCwkQB7or2umbXiivrUg7itpFZXw0v9M92lG_k8v1Gjg_Ci6CRnDD0MrRwoNa5b00uUtHSsCSYbzLahxN-_mCRH1nNnI4TT-N5EQ/w369-h357/Pleasanton%20pistals.JPG" width="369" /></a></div><br />Pleasanton female flowers have started to turn brown indicating pollination has occurred. <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>ST. PAUL - PROTANDROUS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44AbKFpCMlY60VDY9WcYY-YNcEDBoF-a1blkWesUIle8AISZchcnZ43CbhpA9LxBAIV-KoU0LtrSsCcfQlKlG4tmU08yHSm5kqoLPGw5EXhaJn2f3BvsB2MFBF9ZC__D-H2AHSD50AzyA9S5jFiP8Clh3mUUXWw-zm_L5er8F-OWgfhJTuDkf2TJUug/s2314/St%20Paul%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="2314" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44AbKFpCMlY60VDY9WcYY-YNcEDBoF-a1blkWesUIle8AISZchcnZ43CbhpA9LxBAIV-KoU0LtrSsCcfQlKlG4tmU08yHSm5kqoLPGw5EXhaJn2f3BvsB2MFBF9ZC__D-H2AHSD50AzyA9S5jFiP8Clh3mUUXWw-zm_L5er8F-OWgfhJTuDkf2TJUug/w539-h431/St%20Paul%20flowering%20shoot.JPG" width="539" /></a></div><p>St. Paul catkins were shedding pollen. So much pollen that I had to clean off my camera lens.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-REcV68B6zQOMqJPslqm4gIUqtAOXEnva_aIMJXntAKaLKLknrDHtVumDMoEZ1j_T0VLAUMVmiLSwXdifN2-x2FbWnkuvK0n2x6SGgCp03BDFtZ8SfZS58OqZ2c855qXkh7MreCjZUNaB44WT9gjNgVBiian_mDfFYG8w-QScEcccsaV2uSbhFV4Q1w/s1453/St%20Paul%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="1414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-REcV68B6zQOMqJPslqm4gIUqtAOXEnva_aIMJXntAKaLKLknrDHtVumDMoEZ1j_T0VLAUMVmiLSwXdifN2-x2FbWnkuvK0n2x6SGgCp03BDFtZ8SfZS58OqZ2c855qXkh7MreCjZUNaB44WT9gjNgVBiian_mDfFYG8w-QScEcccsaV2uSbhFV4Q1w/s320/St%20Paul%20pistals.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><br />St. Paul female flowers were still not fully formed. These females will have green stigmas.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>THAYER - PROTANDROUS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptyX26s3NPV7raxlhPGXGtIfnk8qbCfegnSAPJdQLgbUbWaBTOTEWYM0MLMZyoRW-E1Kd0WlgDksPQ48YRk9bM4PcytxGrjrn_t-glkAJARbdMlLd1k9Z8RyXUiGIcBVVckb68bZKsO-GeuyE7J2wbleJKlNvZQZkcQBDGuV_cJdAvZnk7N3_GPCIUg/s3008/Thayer%20fruiting%20shoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptyX26s3NPV7raxlhPGXGtIfnk8qbCfegnSAPJdQLgbUbWaBTOTEWYM0MLMZyoRW-E1Kd0WlgDksPQ48YRk9bM4PcytxGrjrn_t-glkAJARbdMlLd1k9Z8RyXUiGIcBVVckb68bZKsO-GeuyE7J2wbleJKlNvZQZkcQBDGuV_cJdAvZnk7N3_GPCIUg/w359-h539/Thayer%20fruiting%20shoot.JPG" width="359" /></a></div><p>Thayer catkins have shed most of their pollen and have turned brown in color.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqccryRxLBTWPKSASWM0jqlqwIeDKouz6afATOk5bBpEaXpZ1YyhjmxJqHxquKWk_-An8KWbo4xkcVizFhPVvhy0M_eyTPtUu5foho12H1v2w9xf88mHe3CsD8h6Oeb065mFjH-wi4VkgbQ2-hvoSNp7mVFg2PRoE780S1MAeMp8iWUENlfhMapcZIA/s1438/Thayer%20pistals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1438" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqccryRxLBTWPKSASWM0jqlqwIeDKouz6afATOk5bBpEaXpZ1YyhjmxJqHxquKWk_-An8KWbo4xkcVizFhPVvhy0M_eyTPtUu5foho12H1v2w9xf88mHe3CsD8h6Oeb065mFjH-wi4VkgbQ2-hvoSNp7mVFg2PRoE780S1MAeMp8iWUENlfhMapcZIA/w392-h371/Thayer%20pistals.JPG" width="392" /></a></div><br />Thayer female flowers are still growing. The stigmas will be bright red when receptive to pollen<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-21372432744404414002022-05-12T22:27:00.002-05:002022-05-12T22:27:35.822-05:00Grafting time<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0Pm9Cy418OL7agonQbQsDuBuyScBODmlUJ5uqPdhrzNtxFnQXLzsSP9lKtHL9Sax0nrC_SkZ2AkyM4k7KpB4lYRe4H8mO9wr1SfEQucA05Ief2JnPFKXxjbGYVLNtatjie3UEErvZ5ibAKnWwDSELnioUJigGUwJTXUYjjOI3OOUtoIjmh46iqb1OQ/s3008/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0Pm9Cy418OL7agonQbQsDuBuyScBODmlUJ5uqPdhrzNtxFnQXLzsSP9lKtHL9Sax0nrC_SkZ2AkyM4k7KpB4lYRe4H8mO9wr1SfEQucA05Ief2JnPFKXxjbGYVLNtatjie3UEErvZ5ibAKnWwDSELnioUJigGUwJTXUYjjOI3OOUtoIjmh46iqb1OQ/w274-h412/DSC_0127.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing a scion for grafting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> During a normal year, I usually starting grafting pecan trees during the first week of May. However, last week (the first of May) we received over 7.5 inches of rain during the course of the week and the Neosho River spilled over its banks flooding a large part of my pecan grove. Needless to say, my 2022 grafting season got off to a late start. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r6stdHQTkUp2GAR4PejzOepNhWds9LoXjgLL31TFxvWQc2ixViLK3jqGHa8GGzV-q5NSex58OGJ92FlvcU9Ol9F_x3miB5caKXOHkDmTkI38re0hbJsO2-P6CFpPSklm12fqS0owdMfW5rhxvjdM43TbCeGny1KGaYF0cKTrXwVB5hRlD0j57mSsoA/s3008/1%20perfect%20size%20for%20grafting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r6stdHQTkUp2GAR4PejzOepNhWds9LoXjgLL31TFxvWQc2ixViLK3jqGHa8GGzV-q5NSex58OGJ92FlvcU9Ol9F_x3miB5caKXOHkDmTkI38re0hbJsO2-P6CFpPSklm12fqS0owdMfW5rhxvjdM43TbCeGny1KGaYF0cKTrXwVB5hRlD0j57mSsoA/w307-h461/1%20perfect%20size%20for%20grafting.JPG" width="307" /></a></div> This week, summertime temperatures and ample sunshine dried the fields enough to make getting out in the field to graft trees possible. One of the biggest mistakes novice pecan growers make in grafting trees is attempting to place a graft on a tree that is too small and does not yet have a well established root system. My rule of thumb is to never graft a tree unless it grew at least 2 feet of new shoot growth the previous growing season.<p></p><p> The tree pictured at left is ideal for grafting. By the time a pecan tree has achieved this size above the ground, the root system is extensive and features a massive tap root. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF6d6nHYU9CnGdb3yqdoA0ivZtFhdgnGQNzw1hqUYZoIoJ60mAy4aD2VV0xfoGEt_MmvBAs4S2ZwKDUVedGJSvaNuwNDUMGqxpuS03pjwExclyse3MuQcQWDM2KYDSBr-vDqc0KowJq8AKStwhgdkArnCzsB2oNQX3lOafu8kaWJIUbrptrOauS3ONg/s3008/2%20cut%20to%2020%20inches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF6d6nHYU9CnGdb3yqdoA0ivZtFhdgnGQNzw1hqUYZoIoJ60mAy4aD2VV0xfoGEt_MmvBAs4S2ZwKDUVedGJSvaNuwNDUMGqxpuS03pjwExclyse3MuQcQWDM2KYDSBr-vDqc0KowJq8AKStwhgdkArnCzsB2oNQX3lOafu8kaWJIUbrptrOauS3ONg/w244-h367/2%20cut%20to%2020%20inches.JPG" width="244" /></a></div><p> I usually graft this sized tree at about 20 to 24 inches above to soil (photo at right). I choose this height for two reasons. First, 20 inches is a comfortable working height for me while I sit on my cooler to carve the scion and place the graft. Secondly, removing a majority of the top will force the tree to focus all its energy on pushing shoots that sprout from the scion. Ultimately, the rapid growth that results from such drastic pruning is easy to train into a strong central leader trunk. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSk-LMry5rT8kj1weLMNUET_fYp5D53j1d8QbvF0T_2N7IrrxYvCptO-WDDuj3cLx1FWC7-7BMH70_CRtE9wdeZndOgv836sFqIuu3Cxp-RQ0aBApzgaG7Y7ElLISdRTjdfaaVhQT7ctvhQLd6OZuy8qzH6vsRKryRof3rQmbKHa4-fkKf4x3fG-aYA/s3008/3%20cut%20diameter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSk-LMry5rT8kj1weLMNUET_fYp5D53j1d8QbvF0T_2N7IrrxYvCptO-WDDuj3cLx1FWC7-7BMH70_CRtE9wdeZndOgv836sFqIuu3Cxp-RQ0aBApzgaG7Y7ElLISdRTjdfaaVhQT7ctvhQLd6OZuy8qzH6vsRKryRof3rQmbKHa4-fkKf4x3fG-aYA/s320/3%20cut%20diameter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The tree I selected for grafting is roughly one inch in diameter at the point I made the cut (photo at left). I like to use a bark graft in this circumstance. Once the graft starts growing it won't be long until new wood growth completely covers over the wound I made on the seedling rootstock.<p></p><p><br /> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdNjmP9IVtOLC_cRvylKd_cBfURYTFVC9wcb1StJGRt8raGXqrddU62yadjbdadSfJor9BNWJEfm_fcz79lbdn6DCo3qLHqZyleb2w5IPXZyp6QYqCVGdFLP-T4O5elOs9VJOspyrHnqaGxpO6jg2g9QKNnX0w5ux5eLHbPCnX_TgYCBFBOQuqxDYZA/s2113/4%20bark%20graft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2113" data-original-width="1177" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdNjmP9IVtOLC_cRvylKd_cBfURYTFVC9wcb1StJGRt8raGXqrddU62yadjbdadSfJor9BNWJEfm_fcz79lbdn6DCo3qLHqZyleb2w5IPXZyp6QYqCVGdFLP-T4O5elOs9VJOspyrHnqaGxpO6jg2g9QKNnX0w5ux5eLHbPCnX_TgYCBFBOQuqxDYZA/w277-h498/4%20bark%20graft.JPG" width="277" /></a></div> For a small diameter bark graft, I choose a small diameter scion to insert under the bark (photo at right). If you would like to see a more detailed discussion of how to make this graft, check out a previous post <b><a href="http://northernpecans.blogspot.com/2015/04/time-for-grafting.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqkETPOE2r5Ot_xmk1CfXbOgiFEs8Tsc2JcmEVg7iy3-lwUVZcUqC16bkPoVeb5ZNwi1-KAI9PPRcS1wmAFwbHnIeBsGeZzAf00VgFWMnG7vIgRmYng4aOIhWf_KnxEnezAtEcSaClz-_Vid54BY8c45poiyB0FWDX938ixp3skNCvd7eOUITmmAuxg/s2033/5%20finished%20graft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="1504" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqkETPOE2r5Ot_xmk1CfXbOgiFEs8Tsc2JcmEVg7iy3-lwUVZcUqC16bkPoVeb5ZNwi1-KAI9PPRcS1wmAFwbHnIeBsGeZzAf00VgFWMnG7vIgRmYng4aOIhWf_KnxEnezAtEcSaClz-_Vid54BY8c45poiyB0FWDX938ixp3skNCvd7eOUITmmAuxg/w270-h365/5%20finished%20graft.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><p> I always attach a bamboo stake to the tree after I've completed the graft (photo at left). Initially, this stake protects the scion from bird damage (perching birds can break off the scion). Once the scion breaks bud, I tie emerging shoots to the stake to train the new growth and to prevent wind damage. </p><p> This photo also reminds me that I've been using the same grafting box for 40 years. It has served me well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0xtwnXswS5fGGooUynAyLLiHbFBLE5H01yOlF1_Y3V5AbLnEqfKjJ0ct9K6WgUAft0VJihPKYvqE_Jc3dny7uJa9GQPJ9txmuzS4_N9GpDXo5h4_tUx_EJEj7ZY5H1-w7eHQbUeVSXi0BR3PxVMd51K1l1yKvA2yXKeuEtVGIdNiopPMxUtAsvfO6Q/s3008/6%20caged%20graft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0xtwnXswS5fGGooUynAyLLiHbFBLE5H01yOlF1_Y3V5AbLnEqfKjJ0ct9K6WgUAft0VJihPKYvqE_Jc3dny7uJa9GQPJ9txmuzS4_N9GpDXo5h4_tUx_EJEj7ZY5H1-w7eHQbUeVSXi0BR3PxVMd51K1l1yKvA2yXKeuEtVGIdNiopPMxUtAsvfO6Q/w262-h394/6%20caged%20graft.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><br /> Deer populations in Kansas have exploded to the point where I never leave a young tree uncaged. The cage protected the seedling the entire time it was growing into grafting sized tree. Once grafted, the cage will remain until the young tree has grown limbs well above deer browsing height. At that point, I remove the cage and place a trunk protector on the tree to prevent buck rub.<br /><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-70636886118612414932022-05-03T17:47:00.000-05:002022-05-03T17:47:21.919-05:00Pecan leaf burst and first signs of pollination season<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37odQp6mOy74pOZmWCGuwWp5Vlp2j3_hAz0faDSVbHjb3yx3uf2Da9H4HGt3JZ0dIQynn43TFD0Emtjj3ZY8KN-xgG8WMhNVsUK8sHN4DPkYpIbZJfc3X5BtKp25jUwAF3CyJZiddTVFADGHENpbVOLq7TrSNIpMWGbrKXjYVqHTH4gjVAWpxn39D2Q/s2347/Kanza%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="1590" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37odQp6mOy74pOZmWCGuwWp5Vlp2j3_hAz0faDSVbHjb3yx3uf2Da9H4HGt3JZ0dIQynn43TFD0Emtjj3ZY8KN-xgG8WMhNVsUK8sHN4DPkYpIbZJfc3X5BtKp25jUwAF3CyJZiddTVFADGHENpbVOLq7TrSNIpMWGbrKXjYVqHTH4gjVAWpxn39D2Q/w264-h390/Kanza%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanza leaf burst, 26 Apr 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Last week I was able to photograph several pecan cultivars as new spring growth emerged from long-dormant branches. As buds break, you should note the strong apical dominance of new shoot growth that is characteristic of pecan trees. In the photo at right, new shoots and leaves sprout primarily from a cluster of terminal buds that developed as shoot growth slowed to a stop during the summer of last year. Further down the stem, you will note that buds have broken open but seem to only produce male flowers or catkins. This is a consequence of apical dominance. The buds at the terminal of the branch break first and their growth sends a hormonal signal down the branch to suppress the development of vegetative buds lower on the branch. </p><p> For sexually mature pecan trees, each primary bud on last year's shoot contains a central vegetative bud and two lateral male reproductive buds. Note that each male reproductive bud produces 3 catkins. As terminal growth continues to expand the hormonal signals become so strong that it causes central vegetative buds lower on the stem to abort from the tree. The catkins, however, remain until they complete pollen shed later in May. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS7ArOJVuKKDe-IZJ7ytZlQQZ9DOQBbsjKlEh_P6p9IXd0O-nARGZMbmrgjR4tZqiSoRaBzpTQM81I8uqokyiJYhsTxkF-LhOmAzlM2OZ_QbCmbYg0JGuA-44FpDeOkxy4HD8qa-cskHkUcoD2o5jDvsml2pWDkAHw6b8DqHQTdp_2LU5VplRBczMEw/s2244/Gardner%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2244" data-original-width="1409" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS7ArOJVuKKDe-IZJ7ytZlQQZ9DOQBbsjKlEh_P6p9IXd0O-nARGZMbmrgjR4tZqiSoRaBzpTQM81I8uqokyiJYhsTxkF-LhOmAzlM2OZ_QbCmbYg0JGuA-44FpDeOkxy4HD8qa-cskHkUcoD2o5jDvsml2pWDkAHw6b8DqHQTdp_2LU5VplRBczMEw/w271-h431/Gardner%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardner, 26 Apr 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> As I moved through my orchard, I observed obvious differences between cultivars in terms of bud development and the appearance of catkins. Some trees appear to produce catkins well before new shoot growth. This occurs with protandrous pecan cultivars like Gardner (photo at left).</p><p> Pecan trees have one of two flowering habits. Trees that release pollen before their female flowers become receptive, have a <b><i>protandrous</i></b>
flowering habit. Trees that produce female flowers that are receptive
to pollen before they release their own pollen are termed <b><i>protogynous</i></b>. </p><p> Over the years, I have also noted that the catkins on protandrous cultivars appear short and fat while catkins on protogynous cultivar are much longer and narrow.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgup42bGR7mu7IG6Ywvr_08Fxkhwfo_DEYtGFaCiDHyPnohwZ94YR-vK2RoeNeUNTLiBwBqmE1GkuHIZ3F0Hm_FJDMMQ2oZw-vwbp4D6NOiMm4iRPjPOqTwU1bZUzecTJ-VNouF6CtaXuRpdHA6_RbnQVOUn2N43b0fst7JGATu70l1UG_t64xwp-6w/s3008/Labette%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgup42bGR7mu7IG6Ywvr_08Fxkhwfo_DEYtGFaCiDHyPnohwZ94YR-vK2RoeNeUNTLiBwBqmE1GkuHIZ3F0Hm_FJDMMQ2oZw-vwbp4D6NOiMm4iRPjPOqTwU1bZUzecTJ-VNouF6CtaXuRpdHA6_RbnQVOUn2N43b0fst7JGATu70l1UG_t64xwp-6w/w308-h463/Labette%2026%20apr%202022.JPG" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Labette, 26 Apr 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The photo at right is of a Labette shoot and is typical of the early Spring appearance of a protogynous cultivar. Note how far the leaves have expanded in contrast to the Gardner shoot pictured above. Catkins on Labette have also emerged but they are not nearly a prominent as the catkins on Gardner at this point. However, note that even though Labette catkins are still enlarging they are already longer than Gardner catkins.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JFda_mT6CqyAHaD_yIqm6tmReD_QMxeIZkr2kLQduPKuabuGlfQrPmlsdeoo3bfGia3imt1_MF__hqGlY03ZzWATdm3yteJPlcLQ7ZgXXw2rrYhWZy7gb8dU8b6PCp80YsEnBjFR52Rpn3p5Xg7G3A8y8HVeJ2PNsZg-RmB_sKFRNvSIUhg8x-YAug/s717/libery%20and%20hark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="705" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JFda_mT6CqyAHaD_yIqm6tmReD_QMxeIZkr2kLQduPKuabuGlfQrPmlsdeoo3bfGia3imt1_MF__hqGlY03ZzWATdm3yteJPlcLQ7ZgXXw2rrYhWZy7gb8dU8b6PCp80YsEnBjFR52Rpn3p5Xg7G3A8y8HVeJ2PNsZg-RmB_sKFRNvSIUhg8x-YAug/w451-h458/libery%20and%20hark.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><br /> During my tour of the orchard I noted two cultivars that had significantly later bud development. Both Liberty and Hark are protandrous cultivars. Liberty appears to lag several days behind the leaf burst of other protandrous cultivars. In striking contrast, Hark leaf burst is far behind all other cultivars on my farm. Late leafing is a desirable cultivar characteristic for a pecan cultivar when grown in areas with a high risk of late Spring frosts. <br /><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-30104818541094393132022-04-15T10:31:00.002-05:002022-04-18T11:51:05.696-05:00Bud Break and Spring Fertilization<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wDH__eoxvIljRP0_b5g2mw_BrkwKNwE7Y_Duhxw2NBdydUp69cE1fJgR4hnhDHGJQZ-tv-cRsZIzhAW_Jd5lzbLw_G6-_tqusTDL7625sXT-cfWbAmU0tDqR3Rtm59qdauHpb6_LEKBZV_hhIdb9qQJbSE-v0UiAGMuI1EXTt7TO_j3xAE1vPQOKHA/s1683/kanza%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1683" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wDH__eoxvIljRP0_b5g2mw_BrkwKNwE7Y_Duhxw2NBdydUp69cE1fJgR4hnhDHGJQZ-tv-cRsZIzhAW_Jd5lzbLw_G6-_tqusTDL7625sXT-cfWbAmU0tDqR3Rtm59qdauHpb6_LEKBZV_hhIdb9qQJbSE-v0UiAGMuI1EXTt7TO_j3xAE1vPQOKHA/s320/kanza%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanza buds 14 April 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> As I have mentioned in previous posts, I like to time the application of fertilizer to my pecan grove to coincide with the very first signs of tree bud growth. We've had a cool spring in SE Kansas this year which has delayed the bursting of pecan buds. Here we are in mid-April and our pecan trees still appear largely barren of new growth. However, on close inspection I've found some trees have started to push their buds open (Kanza buds pictured at right). </p><p> Seeing bud growth, I rented a fertilizer spreader and applied 150 lbs./ac urea and 100 lbs./acre K-Mag. K-Mag is a naturally occurring mineral that contains potassium (K), Magnesium, and Sulfur. In my pecan grove, previous leaf analysis results indicated that my trees were low in Magnesium. This is what prompted my switch to K-Mag rather than use the more common potassium fertilizer, muriate of potash (potassium chloride).</p><p> The cost of all fertilizer materials have increased dramatically over the past 18 months, which has made many pecan producers pause to question; "Can I really afford to apply fertilizer this year?". At first, skipping a regular fertilizer application will seem to have little effect on pecan yield. The yield for 2022 is largely programed in the tree before you ever make a spring fertilizer application. The negative affect of skipping a fertilizer application this year will come in 2023. Without adequate nutrient applications in 2022, the tree will drain all of its reserves to grow and mature the current nut crop. This will leave the tree unable to create the pistillate flower buds that will form the basis of the 2023 crop. Ultimately, skipping a fertilizer application will increase a pecan tree's tendency towards alternate bearing. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcbr14-fPZmYx9slCyQAR33ZjOln8st8MmeGvppMqS9j6ChMleh4upDsbcStg5vbghbXUB2Y_BBRZKEl-xviLUp-6EcEYiUVPKai3bRDNXzErO5gC0XfFB3w42jI_xr0S3FEeEvmTxi0Kq44dM-2fP19gHYNUBhBu5TOKg8VDXf9mT-_7d3aBwHzrQQ/s1342/USDA%2061-1-X%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1342" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcbr14-fPZmYx9slCyQAR33ZjOln8st8MmeGvppMqS9j6ChMleh4upDsbcStg5vbghbXUB2Y_BBRZKEl-xviLUp-6EcEYiUVPKai3bRDNXzErO5gC0XfFB3w42jI_xr0S3FEeEvmTxi0Kq44dM-2fP19gHYNUBhBu5TOKg8VDXf9mT-_7d3aBwHzrQQ/s320/USDA%2061-1-X%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USDA 61-1-X 14 Apr.2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> While scouting my orchard for bud development, I observed that not all cultivars were at the same stage of bud development. For example, USDA 61-1-X had swollen buds that looked ready to burst open (photo at right). <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoD5rMnPi_Q1_f1VfgAsmdZHZTYx0VQsAsbt7dI3fy-kxhTmzicdDoVMkSeCvLG_VUdFuzxVecP5kT9SfFphRRlZFO2O0PnggFmsTefm3-bt9fL83w8hR-8XRqVpojOB3nM0l5ovOgwID3knfqR039c_M8VbRaEcpv16erkCtQZNCh-E9pN-cQ90R3KQ/s1546/hark%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1546" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoD5rMnPi_Q1_f1VfgAsmdZHZTYx0VQsAsbt7dI3fy-kxhTmzicdDoVMkSeCvLG_VUdFuzxVecP5kT9SfFphRRlZFO2O0PnggFmsTefm3-bt9fL83w8hR-8XRqVpojOB3nM0l5ovOgwID3knfqR039c_M8VbRaEcpv16erkCtQZNCh-E9pN-cQ90R3KQ/s320/hark%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hark 14 Apr 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> In sharp contrast, Hark buds appeared fully dormant (photo at left). Late bud break is a positive trait for northern pecan cultivars. A delayed start to shoot growth often allows late budding pecan trees to avoid late spring frost damage.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihGAgIaHxJ-KVFQ20kPjgqBm-b35SbdP1FGjidqIhTmI7Gcl4YDUYnVaoLR61kH6KVnDcFbOTDyz7bVBpWvCsIHfO3IM-1BshYzDymo58X6LdyRmXJTIX076VhSWzqBUe0WUjiqjR8PIXP6Q9y0m3Ga8svpw_NoBZMjL5NQgUzcvq_ToWQmGRf5T0Pg/s1783/Apple%20and%20bee%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1783" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihGAgIaHxJ-KVFQ20kPjgqBm-b35SbdP1FGjidqIhTmI7Gcl4YDUYnVaoLR61kH6KVnDcFbOTDyz7bVBpWvCsIHfO3IM-1BshYzDymo58X6LdyRmXJTIX076VhSWzqBUe0WUjiqjR8PIXP6Q9y0m3Ga8svpw_NoBZMjL5NQgUzcvq_ToWQmGRf5T0Pg/w473-h296/Apple%20and%20bee%2014%20apr%202022.JPG" width="473" /></a></div><br /> As a general rule, pecan trees are one of the latest tree species to break bud in the spring. On the same day that I was scouting pecans for bud break, my apple orchard was in full bloom, buzzing with the sound of hard-working honey bees (photo above). <br /><p></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-11277859972994471892022-03-08T21:45:00.000-06:002022-03-08T21:45:29.496-06:00Cutting pecan scionwood<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdgrfWNZpyXA82VRzYDjaR5aZ6YKTH2Ti8CtcsxYkn_t0jRBWaJpw9v-RO5OxUWAFzuFoSv6ZI1vOkC-q6997zEqGLNHBVBS93JbjqDRxPbR_pJ0OvoB-KNopOmVWGhn_4uj0wqdwnTtZlnWNrbJSyzJ6iuPdkIht87c_5B2ThCugpewVQKIGlI7N5xA=s3008" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdgrfWNZpyXA82VRzYDjaR5aZ6YKTH2Ti8CtcsxYkn_t0jRBWaJpw9v-RO5OxUWAFzuFoSv6ZI1vOkC-q6997zEqGLNHBVBS93JbjqDRxPbR_pJ0OvoB-KNopOmVWGhn_4uj0wqdwnTtZlnWNrbJSyzJ6iuPdkIht87c_5B2ThCugpewVQKIGlI7N5xA=w277-h416" width="277" /></a></div> Last week, the weather was perfect for getting outside and cutting pecan scions. On my farm, I have several trees that are trained specifically to grow high quality scions. The photo at left shows a Yates 68 tree that is covered with long, one-year-old shoots just perfect for making prime scionwood. <p></p><p> Depending on the weather, I usually starting cutting scions in late February or early March. The shoots at this time are still fully dormant and the buds are nice and plump. <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRntZhbwuXBYlywaYXyYK-uBromtpN3cuXs70Ne-_pOm9DfWOqzaofrewrkEOMA1ajYBuzgLW68chmt5_T9EVoW1wcdINj5EZz0A5DNP9HQvYMo7_VBX-yUcO1GYu82ocKfaxKHR5VfH7y7gFEbSjCO8U51Sp-brHFrSAMyOSQEZZku-7EOn8dy0QgMw=s3008" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRntZhbwuXBYlywaYXyYK-uBromtpN3cuXs70Ne-_pOm9DfWOqzaofrewrkEOMA1ajYBuzgLW68chmt5_T9EVoW1wcdINj5EZz0A5DNP9HQvYMo7_VBX-yUcO1GYu82ocKfaxKHR5VfH7y7gFEbSjCO8U51Sp-brHFrSAMyOSQEZZku-7EOn8dy0QgMw=w277-h417" width="277" /></a></div> In the photo at right, I have cut all the one-year-old shoots off the right side of the tree. Note that I deliberately leave short stubs with each pruning cut. This will provide multiple buds for developing new shoots this spring, creating even more scionwood opportunities for 2023.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoWLznsBK4M8cG-z1raQEJmAND9BBeQa8idpxRd6nS53HN-R3j46CDP--7RyrCiW5PtibASpRVumIjBYX-GNwaa8H_ReHjExWcwzyrMoypopaKAn5aWRutpxJkn4zmdgaLrNKVgyisC8YNkZUCown8wApJGC0PygmndSK5MyRXU0KPLSGvZrUM6bk9Ng=s3008" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoWLznsBK4M8cG-z1raQEJmAND9BBeQa8idpxRd6nS53HN-R3j46CDP--7RyrCiW5PtibASpRVumIjBYX-GNwaa8H_ReHjExWcwzyrMoypopaKAn5aWRutpxJkn4zmdgaLrNKVgyisC8YNkZUCown8wApJGC0PygmndSK5MyRXU0KPLSGvZrUM6bk9Ng=w264-h397" width="264" /></a></div> Eventually, I prune every shoot off the tree (photo at left). This kind of drastic pruning practically eliminates nut production and retards overall tree growth. However, by limiting height growth, I can maintain a steady supply of easily accessible and healthy scions for years to come. <p></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWnFguEGkeJytPxAEY4q85r0sHDdNImrNXP5T_Xj3uZLKIkY_qMEstozE1waeZ7iOpYaWlfcQukTQWvnFKH2MFs8t9oHr3GS7JGRS4VxJtYnaQ95li_y-stIsrkfV--6olsP8rVAkvf17bAgouvCEL5VNjMC3x-Te14LwTTnlwZJ2YJVTOnJJpiSWzUQ=s2656" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2656" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWnFguEGkeJytPxAEY4q85r0sHDdNImrNXP5T_Xj3uZLKIkY_qMEstozE1waeZ7iOpYaWlfcQukTQWvnFKH2MFs8t9oHr3GS7JGRS4VxJtYnaQ95li_y-stIsrkfV--6olsP8rVAkvf17bAgouvCEL5VNjMC3x-Te14LwTTnlwZJ2YJVTOnJJpiSWzUQ=w492-h341" width="492" /></a></div><p> Once I have all the one-year-old shoots on the ground, I pick up the limbs and start cutting them into graft-size pieces. I store my scions is plastic tote boxes that feature tight-fitting lids. Before adding scions to the box, I line the bottom with 4 layers of paper towels. I then pour just enough water on the towels to soak them fully. I cut scions 5 to 7 inches long with each stick having at least 3 buds. I carefully stack the scions in the box making sure not to dislodge buds from the sticks. Once I fill the box, I place another layer of paper towels over the top of the scions and moisten with water. </p><p> The wet paper towels help to maintain 100% relative humidity inside the box, keeping the wood from drying out in storage. After attaching the lid of the box, I store the scions in a cooler kept at 34 degrees F. At my location, grafting season starts during the last week of April or early May.<br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4484929464339712146.post-43362836040328956552021-11-10T21:41:00.034-06:002021-11-13T21:11:26.142-06:00Pecan harvest 2021: A view from the tractor seat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIPqGBR6XXpq-Z28KOiCkcVfQTPaSvFumkH4-breV78ppZHQTS5V5vv6lxT_NNlTP9rU7tobpEF9Ml7FE_NAAtSmgunWtmkwBX10NX_7bF_y-MR5gZe6on8hYWLqLLpSHp2UQJkGrkq4Ol1AosqYm3uVmbv7FJKiRyiGjk5XPDc3pFOT10-jZ5nQV_Qg=s2048" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1492" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIPqGBR6XXpq-Z28KOiCkcVfQTPaSvFumkH4-breV78ppZHQTS5V5vv6lxT_NNlTP9rU7tobpEF9Ml7FE_NAAtSmgunWtmkwBX10NX_7bF_y-MR5gZe6on8hYWLqLLpSHp2UQJkGrkq4Ol1AosqYm3uVmbv7FJKiRyiGjk5XPDc3pFOT10-jZ5nQV_Qg=w284-h390" width="284" /></a></div> This past week, I had the pleasure of starting the 2021 pecan harvest. Surprisingly, we still haven't experienced a killing freeze so split-open shucks are still green which has slowed the nut drying process (photo at right). However, our customers are clamoring for new-crop pecans so I decided to get an early start harvesting. These early harvested nuts will just need to dry down further inside a warm and dry barn.<p></p><p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOELoPfDyYenU0aVkhKJZCDR6vax7OT0YoTCQa4u5DrSFpaqFMidaXbvm4Yp5qGYEs3VVthXEWEOgC9Vp0YwNBoLpI2zBR6E4SOeMoAJidgcRppHp4OfAO9NSEx1ebxU_3suHMG3jbSg26-m0q2IU6w-7fr7KEZ0BVp1fcFnQk_olal7-bjujy1NB_rA=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOELoPfDyYenU0aVkhKJZCDR6vax7OT0YoTCQa4u5DrSFpaqFMidaXbvm4Yp5qGYEs3VVthXEWEOgC9Vp0YwNBoLpI2zBR6E4SOeMoAJidgcRppHp4OfAO9NSEx1ebxU_3suHMG3jbSg26-m0q2IU6w-7fr7KEZ0BVp1fcFnQk_olal7-bjujy1NB_rA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Back when I worked for K-State, I was able to photograph one of my employees operating the machines we use for pecan harvest. On my own farm, I'm a one man operation, so my view of harvest is confined to the seat of a tractor. The first step in harvesting pecans is to shake the nuts out of the tree using a 3-point hitch mounted pecan shaker (photo at left). I hydraulically clamp the shaker onto the trunk of the tree then engage the power-take-off to rotate weights inside the machine. The moving weights create a back-and-forth motion which vibrates the entire tree. It only take a few seconds before nuts start raining down to the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg20H8JwCpiddNixqrT1C3tgDc_5qo1K_drim2qbktfUpZgDTYlnHIDuKf_CuktOFB-Cw3XDosE8uzpk0csKxiQrNglsuX5Ml4nFguKKgQOgbTJuhCtHnW3XzOaSh7hgE7VYfOLiYzb1tIspxeWNRnympF3fHpWmNa_EWxjzaJKtJ1RcIucOm7Xqp9TZg=s2048" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1645" data-original-width="2048" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg20H8JwCpiddNixqrT1C3tgDc_5qo1K_drim2qbktfUpZgDTYlnHIDuKf_CuktOFB-Cw3XDosE8uzpk0csKxiQrNglsuX5Ml4nFguKKgQOgbTJuhCtHnW3XzOaSh7hgE7VYfOLiYzb1tIspxeWNRnympF3fHpWmNa_EWxjzaJKtJ1RcIucOm7Xqp9TZg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> When I purchased my shaker I was sure to get one equipped with donut pads rather than hard rubber pads. With the super-thick donut pads I'm able to shake trees when they first start cropping (photo at right). With a tree as small as the one pictured at right I go easy on the throttle and give the tree just a few short bursts of light vibration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9kLBhttROvK1BOxxAYhBVXniRn1uVUDiqkZgYN8q4ZPoySevCIyVj0qpENbCQbqclBT25dOvOlNnyTjBK-MGSMzrh5FhBbZMw5BI-92HyCzynyXx-LwPEvewK0gFuBeTtifqY4YKRTx0qHUFpfdN82Q1rBo-se9V9Db9eYZeKTpSSVLCH4_p4wrBlAA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9kLBhttROvK1BOxxAYhBVXniRn1uVUDiqkZgYN8q4ZPoySevCIyVj0qpENbCQbqclBT25dOvOlNnyTjBK-MGSMzrh5FhBbZMw5BI-92HyCzynyXx-LwPEvewK0gFuBeTtifqY4YKRTx0qHUFpfdN82Q1rBo-se9V9Db9eYZeKTpSSVLCH4_p4wrBlAA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Once I've shook a good number of trees, I hop into my picking tractor. I use a Savage pull-type pecan harvester to sweep pecans up from the ground (photo at left). When harvesting pecans I always start outside the drip-line of the tree's canopy and work my way towards the trunk. One important thing to remember when operating a Savage harvester is that you can only make right-hand turns (a sharp left turn while the machine is running will break drive-line bearings).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdvVLhpuf-vR-oh4WOstA_pUeP-l3bC_ciHJE2VpCjop3c2_XJDMmA89WJ-znmdwlZ85ckig0r6d65SaQkJR1DFmF7p5LPJoECqudfi_SWKEQ2nO0db0zPtQunNESiEn87ehZ2fHy3SonVuwMx0KG_aapP_EB8mxdLBv1gldS_LXWSBnoV_zRW1Aqjw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdvVLhpuf-vR-oh4WOstA_pUeP-l3bC_ciHJE2VpCjop3c2_XJDMmA89WJ-znmdwlZ85ckig0r6d65SaQkJR1DFmF7p5LPJoECqudfi_SWKEQ2nO0db0zPtQunNESiEn87ehZ2fHy3SonVuwMx0KG_aapP_EB8mxdLBv1gldS_LXWSBnoV_zRW1Aqjw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> When I'm harvesting, I sit sideways on the tractor seat so I can keep my eye both ahead and behind. I've found that I've got to especially watch the front right corner of the harvester. To harvest as many pecans as possible, I need to steer as close to the trunk as I can without ramming the machine into the base of the tree. Since the harvester trails well outside of my right rear tractor tire, learning how to avoid hitting trees take a little practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Once I've filled the hopper on the harvester with pecans, I'll drive up to my barn and dump the nuts into my pecan cleaner. When conditions are perfect for harvest, I'll keep harvesting during daylight hours then switch over to cleaning when the sun goes down. Needless to say, I put in a lot of long days during the harvest season. <br /></div><p> <br /></p>William Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782573247125942752noreply@blogger.com