What You Need To
Know About Pecans
Dear Plant Doctor: Help!
I have done everything anyone
has told me to do hut my pecans
were the same as always this year. I
wrote to N.C. Slate before my hus
band died but never heard from
them (I may not have written to the
right address). So, I thought I would
ask YOU.
My pecan tree is 22 years old,
ab-. at 50 feet tali, and is always fuii
of tassels The pecan nuts come, but
the problem is. they are faulty. The
shell looks the same as a good nut,
but when you crack them open, the
meat is shriveled and dried up.
In past years. I have buried cans
of lye at the edge of the branches or
fertilized with special pecan fertiliz
er. I still continue to have bad nuts.
I would appreciate your opinion.
It is a beautiful tree, has lots of nuts
but none fit to use. I read your col
umn every week. Thank you.
Jacksonville. NC
Dear Plant Doctor: Please write
a column about growing pecans. I
have several trees in my yard that I
cannot get to produce nuts. The trees
are about It) years old. Where can I
get some good information about
these trees?
Stedman. NC
Growing Pecans
Answer: You have written to the
right place now!
The pecan (Curya illinoinensis) is
the largest native North American
member of the hickory group in the
Walnut family tfuglandaceac). Pe
cans and hickories are so closely re
lated that hickory-pecan species hy
brids have been reported tor over
1(H) years. Hybrids (often called hi
atus) can still be purchased in most
large nurseries.
Lthnobotanists spcculatc that se
lection for thin-shelled pecan types
THE
PLANT
DOCTOR
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Turf Specialist
4
, '--yt
.... ?
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M.
began thousands of years ago hy the
native American peoples. Modern
varieties (some of which are nearly
1(H) years old) such as Stuart,
Desirable, Cape Fear. Elliott. Cher
okee. Wichita, C;;ndy, and Chicka
saw arc all relatively thin-shelled
when compared to hickory nut rela
tives. All recognized varieties of
pecan are grafted to seedling-pro
duced rootstock. Many years ago it
was common practice in the nursery
trade to graft pecan shoots to hicko
ry root systems.
Pecans have very usual pollina
tion habits. Poor pollination will
cause faulty nuts (e.g. "the meat is
shriveled and dricd-up." Good pecan
production depends upon the selec
tion of the best variety for your area.
To choose the best variety consider
the following factors:
1. Cross pollination between vari
eties usually results in more nuts per
cluster.
2. Maturity of male (tassels) and
female (future nuts) flowers on the
same tree do not normally coincide
at bloom time. If self-pollination
does occur, the nut meat will be usu
ally be undersize and of poor quali
ty
3. Disease and insect resistance is
critically important ii a spray pro
gram is not planned.
'Save Our Sounds' Seeks
Entries In Poster Contest
A statewide environmental orga- hie to participate. Winning posters
nization is sponsoring the Save Our will be shown on a Raleigh televi
Sounds Coastal Celebration Poster sion station and displayed at the
Contest. Save Our Sounds Coastal Celebra
"Save Our Sounds aims to edu- tion April 16-17 at the Kerr Scott
cate our state's children about the Building on the N.C. Slate Fair
importance of conserving North grounds in Raleigh.
Carolina's valuable waters," said A winner will be accepted from
spokesman Barbara Manncn. "This each grade, and prizes such as cou
contest allows them to think about pons for meals, games and toys will
their environment as well as express be awarded.
their artistic talent." Kntries may be mailed to Save
Entries will be accepted until Our Sounds Poster contest. Box
March 12, and grades 3-8 are eligi- 120(10. Raleigh NC 27605.
? i i i r- iii i rr
upacnea rooa Laoets ^rrer
Improved Nutritional Data
Shoppers reading the labels of tension Homemakers Club, the pro
packaged foods recently may have gram is open to anyone interested in
noticed something different?the learning more about the new label
new nutrition facts information on ing.
the labei. For more information contact the
The new labels can help con- extension office at 253-4425. The
sumers make better choices lor a office is in the Agriculture Building
healthful diet, according to Mary L. at the Brunswick County Govern
Russ, home economics extension ment Center in Bolivia.
agent with the Brunswick County
Cooperative Extension Service.
They also help increase buyers'
confidence because claims like "low
cholesterol" and "fat free" can be
used only if a food meets new legal
standards set by the government.
To help consumers better under
stand how to use the new labels.
Russ will present a program on
"New Food Labels?How l an I hey
Help?" Friday, March 18, at 10 a.m.
at the Calabash Fire Station.
Sponsored by the Calabash Ex
E. Harvie Hill, D.D.?.. MAD.
Pediatric Dentistry
providing cure tor
children und young adults
ages 1-21. Also care for
the handicapped.
734-3333
PC
f
I U
MEMBER: AMERICAN ACADEMY
OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
lOl Village Pine*. iSluillotLc:
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Buy one pack, get one FREE.
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? esa -and supplies- rrsr
Open Monday-Saturday 8 30-5 ? 842-7727
L^Jv^toHolden Beach Road (1/2 Mile From Causeway
4. Proper variety selection, spac
ing, and arrangement is essential for
a productive pecan orchard.
Most nurseryman can help you
choose two or more varieties that
will grow and pollinate well in your
particular area.
Most pecan varieties will not hear
nuts until eight to 1(1 years after
planting. During this time it is criti
cal that the tree he pruned and fertil
ized to establish a strong architec
ture on the tree for future nut crops.
l or the newly planted nonbearing
tree apply one pound of 10-10-10
fertilizer per tree just prior to bud
swell in early March the first year
Apply two pounds of 10-10-10 per
tree the following year. The third
and succeeding years, apply four
pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer for
each inch of trunk diameter.
(Measure the trunk one fool from
the soil).
Fertilize in bands 12 to 15 inches
apart, starting at the drip line of the
branches and moving toward the
trunk.
DO NOT put fertilizer in the tree
hole at planting or closer than I foot
from the trunk.
Fertilizer improperly applied or
applied too close to the trunk can
stunt or kill a healthy young pecan
tree.
Soil pll in the root zone of the
tree should lie maintained at a pll
6.0 to 6.5 for maximum nutrient uti
lization. Soil test around your trees
every two to three years.
Nut-hearing trees require a differ
ent fertilizer regime. Apply a com
plete fertilizer in February or four
weeks prior to hud swell. Use four
pounds of 10-10-10 per inch of
trunk diameter.
Take the trunk diameter measure
ment just below the first scaffold
branch. For example, a 20-inch-di
ameter trunk needs four pounds per
inch multiplied by 20 inches or SO
pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per
tree. Minor elements such as zinc,
manganese, or boron may be re
quired but apply these nutrients only
as NCDA soil or tissue recommen
dations specify because overapplica
tion of these nutrients could be fatal
to your tree! Never apply substances
like lye or other such products un
less specifically labeled for that use!
Ciood publications on pecan cul
ture arc few and far between.
However, your North Carolina
Cooperative Extension agent may
have an old copy of "Growing
Pecans in North Carolina." This old
er publication is well written and
contains a wealth of good informa
tion. If you send me a SASH. I will
gladly send you a copy.
Send your gardening questions
and comments to the Plant Doctor,
P.O. Hot 109, Bolivia. ,VC 2X422.
Friends Move Sweetheart Boll
The Friends of the Library Sweetheart Ball will be held at the
Shallotte National Guard Armory instead of the Senior fit i/ens' Center
as originally planned.
The dance, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 11. is a fundraiser to help the
Friends organization operate a temporary library while the West Bruns
wick Branch is being renovated and expanded this spring and summer.
The dance will take place from 7-10 p.m. Pickets are $5 for singles
and $8 for couples.
Performing will be Nik's Orchette of Wilmington with a variety of
musical styles.
Talent Competition March 12
The 1994 Tri-County Talent Trophies will be awarded to the
Competition will be held Saturday, first, second and third place winners
March 12, at Kenan Auditorium on in each age division and categon.
ihe campus of UNC-Wilmington. with a medal going to all othei
Categories include vocal, dance, places. All contestants will compete
dramatic and instrumental prescnta- for the overall awards.
tions. Contestants wiii compete Proceeds will benefit the i tearing
within their own age division and Impaired Preschool in Wilmington,
category, and competition is open to For applications call (910)762
solos, duets and trios of all ages. 7963 or (910)395-2028.
Valentine's Day Gifts and Cards r
J . muebird of Happiness ? Music r\
t-gtl&y J Boxes ? Picture Frames ? Fenton
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Selection of Valentine Cards
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