Plant Profile: Pecan

Pecan:

            General info: Pecan trees (Carya illinoensis) are a staple of the South and are found in both rural and urban environments. They are native to North America and are grown from Illinois to Florida. Pecan trees can reach 70-100 ft. in height and 40-80 ft. in width. The nuts are heart healthy and high in vitamins and minerals.

Pecan trees often bear on alternating years, and will begin producing within 5-7 years. Cross-pollination results in the best nut production.  

            Landscape uses: Shade tree.

            Ornamental qualities: Stately form when full grown.

            Planting: Plant in well drained soil and full sun. Be sure to give the tree plenty of room to grow and mature. Spacing 40-80 ft. apart is best. Crowding can cause misshaped trees and poor production. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

            Pruning: Thin any dead or diseased branches as needed.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Newly planted trees need about 10-15 gal. of water per week fro the first 2 or 3 years. Regular water is important at any age to ensure a good crop production, especially during the nut filling stage (during the first 2 weeks of Sept.). Fertilize in March and again in June. Do not place fertilizer closer than 12” from the trunk.

Varieties:

            Stewart: Most widely planted of all varieties. Good quality, medium size. May take 8-10 years to produce a good crop.

            Desirable: A leading variety in the Southeast. Consistent, productive bearer. Medium to large size. Noted for good eating quality.

Plant Profile: Peach

'June Gold' starting to bloom in early spring

Peach:

            General info: Peaches (Prunus persica) are called the Queen of fruits. They are admired for their showy, fragrant blooms and tasty fruit. Peach trees are second only to apple trees in popularity.

Peaches can be divided into two categories according to their type of flesh: melting and non-melting. Melting varieties soften as they ripen, and are very juicy. Non-melting varieties stay firm even while ripening. They can also be divided according to how the flesh separates from the pit. Freestone peaches separate easily from the pit, while clingstone peaches “cling” to the pit.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; mixed border.

            Ornamental qualities: Showy pink blossoms in spring; long, arching leaves all summer long.

            Planting: Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Early morning sun is important to help dry the leaves and reduce the chance of disease. If necessary, cut off any broken or mutilated roots, otherwise keep root pruning to a minimum. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

           

            Pruning: Peaches need to be pruned into a vase shaped tree with an open center to promote good air circulation and to let sunlight in. This helps reduce the chance for disease, and makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Pruning should be done during mid-February.

First remove dead, diseased, broken, and low hanging limbs. Do not allow the tree to form a dominant central leader. Prune out any crossing braches growing back towards the center, and any vigorous, upright shoots that developed from the inside of the main branches. You can think of the tree being pruned to look like your hand with your palm facing up, cupped, and fingers spread. Pruning may also be done in the summer after fruit harvest.

            Approximately 4 weeks after bloom, thin out the peaches so there is about 6” between each fruit. Removal of excess fruit is necessary to ensure proper ripening and to reduce limb breakage.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and again in summer. Do not let fertilizer accumulate around the trunk.

Varieties:

            Tropic Snow: White flesh, semi-freestone. Extremely sweet flavor. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida King: Yellow flesh, semi-freestone. Beautiful red blush over a yellow base color. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida Crest: Excellent flavor. Red colored skin. Yellow flesh, semi-cling.  Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

            June Gold: Heavy producer. Delicious, yellow flesh. Clingstone. Self-fertile.

            Suwanee: Beautiful, large freestone. Sweet, mild flavor. Self-fertile.

           

            Harvester: Firm, highly colored with yellow flesh. Excellent quality. Freestone. Self-fertile.

Plant Profiles: Mulberry

Mulberry:

            General info: Mulberry (Morus) trees are often called blackberry trees because the fruit looks like long blackberries. The taste is similar to a blackberry. Black mulberries are sweeter and less acidic then red or white mulberries. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into jellies or syrups. The trees are large and fast growing, and can reach 15-50’ depending on variety. Mulberries are rarely found in stores because they only last a few days after harvesting, unless they are frozen or dried.

Landscape uses: Specimen or shade tree

Ornamental qualities: Lush leaves all summer

            Planting: Grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, but is tolerant of poorer soils.

            Pruning: Remove dead and crossing branches each winter.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in late winter and mid-summer. Minimal fertilizer is needed.

Varieties:

            Pakistan: Very large, ruby-red to maroon colored fruit can reach 2 ½ to 5 inches long. Firmer berries than most varieties. Very sweet, raspberry-like flavor. Excellent quality. Ripens in summer. Originated in Pakistan. Must insulate trunk of young trees before hard freezes. Foam pipe insulation (normally used for copper pipes) works well.

            Native: Red berries mature to dark burgundy. Can reach a height of 65 feet.

Plant Profiles: Chestnut

Chestnut:

            General info: Chestnut trees (Castanea) are the most important tree in American history. They were prized for their nuts as well as their wood. During the Great Depression, millions of acres of Chestnut forests were destroyed by a severe blight. Today, a new, blight-resistant cultivar is available to begin re-establishing trees and orchards across America.

Chestnuts are delicious and healthy (low in fat, and similar nutritionally to wheat and brown rice) and are excellent when roasted or steamed. The trees can grow up to 80’ tall and are long lived.

            Landscape uses: Shade tree

            Ornamental qualities: Blossoms in spring; glossy green leaves

            Planting: Plant two trees for cross-pollination. Plant in full sun and well drained soil.

           

            Pruning: If the central leader becomes too dominant, prune to encourage branching. Thin any dead or diseased branches as needed.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and summer.

Varieties:

            Dunstan: Best and most widely planted variety in America. Blight-resistant. Upright growth form with spreading branches. Large, glossy green leaves and cream-colored blooms. Begin to bear in 2-4 years. 60-80’ tall, 30-40’ wide.