CULTURAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE PECAN PRODUCTION

Our objectives address three critical questions: 1) What causes trees planted on newly cleared ground to struggle and how can we improve the growth of trees planted on such sites?; 2) How effective is mechanical hedging as a cultural management technique for pecan production under Southeastern U.S. growing conditions? 3) In addition will summer hedge pruning provide an alternative method of fruit thinning, tree size control, and sunlight management suitable to Southeastern U.S. conditions and how will summer hedging compare with dormant season hedging? 4) Can we grow pecans in a low-input production system in Georgia with minimal sprays?