Tree removal to prevent crowding occurs simultaneously with tree replacement (naturally occurring seedlings in desirable locations are left) thus, trees within a native grove vary in size and age, and tree spacings are variable. In contrast to a planted orchard, each tree in a native pecan grove is genetically unique. A unique characteristic of pecan orchards is they are planted with two planned tree removals to prevent excessive crowding during orchard life ( Carroll et al., 2006).ĭevelopment of a native pecan grove consists of selecting an area with abundant pecan timber, removal of all woody species except pecan, and then thinning excess pecan trees to achieve the desired stand ( Reid and Olcott-Reid, 1985). Planted pecan orchards are similar to other tree fruit orchards in that they consist of limited genetic diversity (two or more cultivars) with trees planted in selected patterns at a fixed spacing. Approximately 30% of pecans marketed in the United States are from native trees ( Pollack, 2001), and 90% of those produced in Oklahoma are from native stands ( Smith, 2006). Pecans are produced in the United States from both native stands and planted orchards ( Reid, 2002). Today, pecans remain a valued food source for a health-conscious public. Archaeological and ethno-historic data indicated that it was an important food source for people inhabiting areas within its range during prehistoric and early historic times ( Hall, 2000). The native habitat of pecan is the mixed-stand riparian forests in the central United States extending into Mexico ( Sparks, 2005). Pecan is an indigenous nut tree that has been growing over its present range in the United States for at least 8000 years ( Hall, 2000). Keywords: Carya illinoinensis tree spacing bearing surface tree density canopy volume trunk cross-sectional area yield potential production
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