| We live on a pecan orchard and our 1/2 acre has about 28 pecan trees on it. The soil is clay/rocky what would be the best fertilizer recommendation to insure healthy trees? |
| James, Pecan trees will benefit from a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio, such as 15-5-10 or 16-4-9. Spread one or two cups of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter waist high in a large area around the tree, reaching outward just beyond the branch spread. Make the first application in February and repeat it in April, June and October. You can also place the fertilizer in holes punched about 6" deep in the soil every 2 to 3 feet around the perimeter of the trees branch spread if you wish. This helps aerate the soil and gets the fertilizer elements down into the root zone better, but is quite tedious. Water the tree deeply but infrequently, applying 1" of water to the area from the trunk out to twice the branch spread once every week or two during the hot, dry weather of summer. A coffee can makes a good sprinkler gauge to let you know how long it takes for your sprinklers to apply an inch of water. Remember that water is at least as important as fertilizer in making a tree grow fast. Thanks for the question. Good luck with your pecan trees! |
