Why Are Pecan Orchids Burning?

Pecan trees, particularly young ones with thin bark, are prone to fire damage. Older, mature trees with decades of bark thickness are more resistant to fire, but they can also be susceptible to ants. The problem can occur in any orchard setting, especially in low-lying sites, where ants try to stay dry and guard tubes make piling dirt up easier.

The best pecan tree variety depends on the location and growing conditions. Popular varieties include Pawnee, Desirable, and Red Imported Fire Ant. Fire ants’ stings can be a serious problem for orchard workers, affecting operations like grafting, mowing, and harvesting.

Pecan producers must carefully select the orchard location based on its soil type, drainage, water table, and land. Fruit set declines with distance from pollinators, and yield may be as much as 30 less on trees more than 2 rows (80 feet) from the pollinator. Controlled burns are conducted during autumn and winter months to prevent bushland becoming a fire hazard in summer.

Fire blight disease, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, typically appears in early spring in apple and pear orchards when temperatures rise above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Pecan bacterial leaf scorch causes defoliation, reduces tree growth, and reduces kernel weight. The oil in pecans is super unsaturated, making them more flammable than most nuts like peanut, almond, and filbert.

Pecan scab is the most common pecan tree disease in Mississippi, infecting leaves and shucks and penetrating developing plants. To mitigate potential food safety risks, it is essential to consider the location, soil type, drainage, water table, and land conditions when planting pecan trees.