Pecan and walnut growers require extensive knowledge of cultivation, harvesting, and marketing. Professional associations, such as Southeast Walnut Growers, help growers stay informed. Pecan trees require ample space and protection from pests, while walnut trees must be pruned to a manageable height for harvesting. Harvesting methods include shaking trees by hand or machine and catching nuts with nets or mats.
Pecan growers grow nuts commercially, harvest and dry the nuts, and supply them to markets around the world. Commercial walnut cultivation requires in-depth knowledge of irrigation, fertilization, pest prevention, tree pruning, pollination, harvesting and marketing.
To stay abreast of new developments in walnut cultivation and new markets for walnuts, many walnut growers join professional associations such as Southeast Walnut Growers, Western Walnut Growers and Northern Walnut Growers. These associations are specific to the US, which produces about 80% of the world’s pecans; other walnut producing countries are Argentina, Australia, China, Israel, Mexico and South Africa. American associations cooperate with other international associations, such as the Australian Pecan Growers Association, organize conventions and maintain informational websites to promote an exchange of knowledge and experience among pecan growers.
There are numerous varieties of pecan nuts, but it has become common for nut growers to plant grafted trees that can produce the large, fleshy nuts that are in commercial demand. Because pecans are long-lived, grow to massive heights, and have extensive root systems, the trees are usually planted at least 10.9 yards (10 m) to 21.9 yards (20 m) apart to facilitate growth. healthy; it is also recommended to keep a similar distance between two adjacent rows of pecan. Sometimes, in case of unavailability of sufficient land, a walnut grower may plant trees closer together and, after several years of harvesting a bountiful walnut crop, may cut down some of the trees when they began to clump together. Pecan wood is a good value, so from a business point of view this can be a profitable investment for a pecan grower.
While walnut trees are generally quite hardy, it is important to protect the trees from weeds and pests. Trees are regularly pruned to get rid of dead wood, facilitate easy movement around trees, and keep trees at a manageable height. If the trees grow very tall, it may be difficult or impossible to spray them with pesticides and harvest the nuts when they mature. For good pecan production, it is also necessary to ensure that the trees receive abundant water and nutrients. Pecans usually develop from September to November and are ready to harvest in May.
To harvest the walnuts, walnut growers can shake the tree by hand or by machine. They can place nets or mats to catch the falling nuts. Fallen nuts can be picked up manually or by machine. It is important not to let the nuts sit in the ground for too long as, with their fine grains, they can absorb unwanted flavors from the ground. The nuts, once collected, are dried and sorted. They are ready to be sent to market.
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