Pecan Trees – Growth

Q: My wife planted two pecan seeds that her sister from Valdosta gave her. The trees are now eighteen feet tall. She has heard that since they are not grafted no pecans will grow on them . Do you suggest they we cut them down and plant grafted trees or leave them for shade?

A: They might, or might not, produce good pecans. It all depends on the genetic heritage of the nuts you planted. I’d wait until they start producing nuts and make a judgement then. If the nuts are small, consider learning how to graft superior pecan buds onto selected limbs. After a few years of “top working” you’ll have the grafted pecan you want. University of Georgia pecan expert Lenny Wells describes pecan grafting here:      http://www.walterreeves.com/uploads/pdf/pecanprop.pdf