Pecans are a quintessential flavor of fall and are featured in many dishes. From pie to coffee, few foods can’t be improved by these sweet, crunchy nuts. If you have your own pecan tree, you likely know the exciting feeling of watching your pecans grow and the disappointment if they fall off too early.
If you’re wondering, “Why are my pecans falling off the tree green?” you’ll be glad to know there are some simple strategies for determining the cause. Keep reading to learn why your crop might be falling prematurely and what you can do about it.
Finding the Culprit
Pecans can be grown from seed and reach maturity in late summer and early fall, with slight variations depending on your zone. Most people will start collecting their pecans in September. If your pecans are falling much earlier than that, they’ll likely hit the ground while still green. This event usually means that something has happened to interrupt the ripening process.
High Winds
Sometimes the explanation is as simple as high winds. Consider how the weather has been lately. Have you experienced many storms or windy days? If so, you may not need to look any further. You can’t stop this from happening, but you can invest in tree wraps and other protectors to help keep your plants in top condition.
Pests
Birds, squirrels, and other animals all gather food indiscriminately. Unfortunately for humans, this often results in our neighborhood wildlife helping themselves to our crops, including pecan trees. If this is the case for your tree, try a repellent. In some situations, flashing objects or fluttering flags might be enough to keep curious creatures at bay.
If that doesn’t help, look into purchasing a squirrel guard, which prevents the squirrels from being able to climb the trunk.
Insufficient Water
Most plants will eventually start dropping non-essential parts if it isn’t getting enough water. This process is called wilting. A plant can protect itself from perishing entirely by letting go of non-essential leaves, flowers, or fruits.
Too Much Produce
Sometimes a tree or plant will produce too much fruit. When this happens, the tree will drop some excesses to prevent it from using too much energy. Many plants will go through this, so check out your tree to see if it looks like there are more pecans than usually on its branches.
Infection
Worms, aphids, and other insects can infect your tree. You can usually spot these issues just by having a poke around the branches and checking for any suspicious invaders. The best way to treat an infestation is to address it early and prevent it from spreading to other areas of your yard or garden.
What To Do With Green Pecans
Once you have answered the question “Why are my pecans falling off the tree green?” you’ll likely wonder what you should do with them, if anything.
It’s paramount to pick up any pecans you find on the ground because although they are not appetizing to people, they will be to other animals. To avoid attracting pests to your yard, collect them and dispose of them or add them to your compost. You can also make pecan shell mulch.
Why Are My Pecans Falling off the Tree Green?
There are many reasons why your pecans may be abandoning their posts too early in the season. Fortunately, many of these conditions are treatable and don’t mean the end of your pecan tree. With a little patience and research, you can discover the problem and take steps to rectify it before it does any permanent damage.