![\"topping\"](\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/pecan\/files\/2016\/01\/topping.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhen growers, particularly those new to growing pecans, purchase trees and put\u00a0them in the ground, the thought of cutting off a portion of these trees they just shelled out $15-$20 for causes them to shudder. This reaction is easily understood. I have read a lot of scientific papers on pecans, including many on tree planting techniques, and\u00a0I have\u00a0planted thousands of nursery trees, some pruned and some not pruned. Based on both scientific results and practical experience, I can tell you without question, that if you do not prune the tree at planting you are doing that tree and yourself a grave disservice.<\/em><\/p>\n As trees are dug from the nursery, they lose a portion of their root system and undergo what we term \u201ctransplant shock\u201d as they are removed from one soil environment, hauled around, and placed in another. Pruning the top of the tree by 1\/4 to 1\/3 alleviates the stress this generates for the tree and allows the root system to more easily support the growth that tree puts on as it grows. There is nothing magical about 1\/3 or 1\/4. It just depends on the tree. You may even need to remove as much as 1\/2 of a 10-12\u2032 tree at planting. The tree then puts its energy into developing strong, new\u00a0shoots as opposed to just trying to keep itself alive. The result is a much more vigorous tree. By contrast, trees that are not pruned at planting usually take longer to begin growing and\u00a0develop\u00a0multiple weak, short\u00a0shoots as it struggles to survive.<\/p>\n We used to recommend (and many growers still follow) the practice of pruning no more of the root system than you have to in order to get the tree in the hole. But, based on research by Dr. Mike Smith at Oklahoma State, we\u2019ve changed that recommendation and for several years now, have\u00a0promoted\u00a0the pruning of roots at planting. \u201cPruning of roots?\u201d, you say. \u201cDidn\u2019t you just say the tree loses some roots at planting\u201d? Yes, I did. But, that\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing.<\/p>\n When you prune a tree, whether the cut is on the stem or on the root, you stimulate growth.\u00a0Pecan trees\u00a0will grow without pruning the roots at planting but Dr. Smith\u2019s work showed that when you prune the\u00a0taproot to 18\u2033-24\u2033 and remove the lateral roots (at least by 1\/2 the length), the tree is more vigorous and grows much better. The reason for this is that the tree\u2019s new roots develop from the cut surface and tree survival & growth depends on new root development, not the existing root system. This also allows you to dig a smaller hole (no more than 24\u2033 deep). When you prune the roots, pruning the top of the tree becomes even more important because you are removing more of the root system. The goal is to stimulate growth and relieve stress. Planting by proven methods such as these\u00a0will do\u00a0a lot more for getting\u00a0pecan trees off to a good start than any fertilizer or \u201cmiracle\u201d snake oil product you can use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n