1998-1999

PECAN GROVE THINNING

Oscar Scherer, Cooperator

Joe D. Janak, C.E.A.

Chapel Schuessler, C.E.A.

SUMMARY:

Over 400 cords of pecan wood has been removed to thin an over-crowded native pecan grove to increase pecan nut production. This alone resulted in approximately a $100.00 per acre income. Trees have begun to grow new lower branches. Several years will pass before a conclusion can be reached on its total effectiveness.

PROBLEM:

Numerous native and even improved pecan groves or orchards are over-crowded and have too many trees per acre. Producers see a continual reduction in nut yield due to over-crowding. Removal of trees is labor intensive and expensive.

OBJECTIVES:

To demonstrate the effectiveness of pecan tree thinning on its ability to rejuvenate a native pecan grove and increase pecan yields and profitability.

MATERIALS/METHODS:

In early 1998, 254 pecan trees that were weak, diseased, crooked, deformed, had bad trunks or too close to others were marked for removal in approximately a twenty acre native pecan grove. Removal began immediately and continued throughout the year. Trees were cut with a chain saw at 3 - 5 inches above the ground by a private logger who cut the trees into two foot pieces and split the logs to be sold in Pleasanton, Texas for making chipped wood for barbeque.

Tree circumference or diameter and tree distance measurements were made before and after the cutting began.

RESULTS/DISCUSSIONS:

1999: No major pecan nut production was noticed this year due to native pecan grove thinning in 1998. It may be several years before appreciable nut production may result. Trees began to put on new lower branches due to an opening up of space between trees.

1998: By the close of 1998, about 90 percent of the trees marked had been cut down and over 400 cords of wood had been cut and sold by the producer through this tree thinning process. An evaluation that follows will be made on the 7.5 acre pecan grove that was contiguous throughout the river bottom.

Measurement in the 7.5 acre pecan grove revealed the following results. Tree circumference averaged just over 61 inches or 20 inches in diameter. Prior to the thinning, the trees on the 7.5 acre plot averaged 21 feet apart and after the tree removal the trees averaged 33 feet apart. (Even 33 feet apart is too close but the trees will be allowed to grow and produce so their nuts can be evaluated and those with the least desirable nuts will be thinned out as soon as possible. Ideally, 50 % shade and 50 % sunshine should be seen on the ground under the trees at noon.)

There were 49.6 percent (or 114) of the trees removed from the 7.5 acre grove that originally had 230 trees growing. Initially there were 31 trees per acre and now there are 15.5 trees per acre.

The private logger is handling all wood removal and sales and is burning all non-salable limbs.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND IMPACT:

Sale of the pecan wood has netted the producer $5.00 per cord for over 400 cords now or over $2000 so far. This is approximately $100.00 per acre for the sale of excess trees. The $5.00 per cord price agreed to on this demonstration was specifically for this site and may be different on other sites due to various conditions. Additional income is expected as the trees begin growth and pecan nut production within three to five years.

CONCLUSION:

Thinning a native pecan grove has brought positive results in sales of pecan wood valued to the owner at approximately $100.00 per acre. Further evaluations of the pecan grove productivity will be taken in coming years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Appreciation is expressed to Oscar Scherer, cooperator who allowed us to monitor this demonstration for public benefit.