How Do Pecans Form On Trees?

Pecans perform cross-pollination by growing on the same tree with male and female flowers. Female flowers appear on the new growth of a pecan tree, while male flowers appear on previous years’ branches. Depending on the species of tree, either female or male flowers mature first. They are then pollinated by wind and bees.

The tree has a long taproot with feeder roots that extend deeper than ten feet below the ground. Pecan trees develop after they have had at least 5 years to mature. They may need 7 years. Between June and September, they grow pecans, which are harvested between October and December.

How does a pecan form?

It is caused by incomplete fertilization (fruit set). Double fertilization is characteristic of the pecan nut. When a pollen tube forms, the nucleus within divides to form two nuclei.

Before the nuts begin to fall, they look nothing like the finished product light brown, dark-striped nuts. The nut is embedded in a green husk that gradually browns as it dries and matures. As the pecans mature, the husks begin to crack open, indicating that they are ready to pick pecans.

What makes pecans turn black and fall off the tree?

Smear bugs cause black pecan kernels. Although the pecans are small with soft shells, stinkbugs penetrate the shell and inject a chemical into the pecan, causing the pecan to decompose in that region. The stinkbug then sucking the nutrients out of the pecan.