To properly manage a successful pecan orchard, a well-developed plan should be implemented. Planning will help growers and managers be prepared for tasks that will need to be addressed throughout the year. This calendar can be used as a resource to help with planning.
August
Floor Maintenance
If weeds are a problem, an herbicide can be applied to the orchard floor. Continue maintaining orchard floor vegetation through mowing or grazing. Remove livestock from the orchard by Sept. 1 for harvest preparation.
Disease Control
Use the Mesonet (bit.ly/pecan-scab-map) scab model to determine when to apply fungicide to susceptible varieties.
Herbicide Spray
Continue spraying your vegetation-free strips as needed.
Pest Control
Continue to monitor for pests such as twig girdler, aphids and caterpillars. Take note of beneficial insects, and do not spray for aphids if the insect level is sufficient.
Hickory Shuckworm
If you have a history of hickory shuckworm, spray at shell hardening in northern Oklahoma.
Weevil
Monitor traps for emergence and spray when threshold is met.
Harvest
Do a pre-harvest maintenance check on all harvest equipment. Remove branches and other debris from the orchard floor.
September
Floor Maintenance
Floor maintenance depends on your management system. Regardless of the system used, you should have a clean floor, free of debris that has been cut short.
Pest Control
Continue to monitor for pests such as twig girdler, aphids and caterpillars. Control of wildlife works best if started before the harvest and continued during harvest. During this time, crows, blue jays and squirrels will be an issue. For more information on pests, visit www.noble.org/pecan-predators.
Weevil
Monitor traps for emergence and spray when threshold is met.
Wild Hogs
Control wild hogs with traps like the BoarBuster trap. Learn more at www.noble.org/boarbuster-deliveries.
Crows and Blue Jays
Use sound deterrents like an air cannon or a BirdGard system. Learn about BirdGard at bit.ly/birdgard.
Squirrels
Control with hunting.
Harvest
Do a pre-harvest maintenance check on all harvest equipment. Remove branches and other debris from the orchard floor. Start harvesting pecans as soon as 70 percent of shuck-split occurs.
Orchard Maintenance
Mark trees for removal that are damaged and have small or undesirable pecans.
October
Floor Maintenance
Floor maintenance depends on your management system. Regardless of the system used, you should have a clean floor, free of debris that has been cut low.
Pest Control
Continue to monitor for pests. Wildlife control works best if begun before the harvest and continued during harvest. During this time, crows, blue jays and squirrels will be an issue.
Wild Hogs
Control wild hogs with traps like the BoarBuster trap.
Crows and Blue Jays
Use sound deterrents like an air cannon or a BirdGard system.
Squirrels
Control with hunting.
Harvest
Continue to harvest your pecans.
Orchard Maintenance
Mark trees for removal that are damaged and have small or undesirable pecans.
Planting
Plant container-grown trees.
