Summer Hedge Pruning of Pecan in the Southeastern United States

Hedge pruning has been used in southeastern US pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards for similar to 10 to 15 years and has become common in the region within the past 5 years. However, questions remain regarding how pecan trees in the southeastern United States will respond to hedge pruning into the hot summer months in a humid environment. Two treatments were evaluated for 'Creek' and 'Caddo' pecan: dormant hedge-pruned (Jan-Feb 2019 and 2022) and summer hedge-pruned (Jun 2019 and 2020). Summer hedge pruning did not affect pecan yield, nut weight, or percent kernel compared with dormant-season pruning. Length of shoot regrowth was reduced significantly by summer hedge pruning compared with dormant-season hedge pruning. The advantages of hedge pruning 'Creek' and 'Caddo' from the dormant season through midsummer can help transition southeastern US pecan production to a more profitable and sustainable system.