ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

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contact Donna Reynolds, Extension Assistant Editor

CHECK PECAN TREES FOR SCAB AND DISEASE PROBLEMS

AUBURN, MAY 15---During May, pecan trees are pollinating, nuts are setting and those cultivars which pollinate early are beginning to reach first nut drop.

Extension horticulturist Bill Goff with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says casebearer, scab and foliage diseases can create problems for trees in May. He advises growers to apply fungicide sprays to keep these problems under control.

Apply first-cover sprays with fungicides at 14-day intervals, then switch to 21-day intervals between the first and second cover sprays.

Control may also be needed for aphids, mites, plant bugs, spittlebugs, webworms and walnut caterpillar during May, says Goff. He suggests that growers check their trees and spray as needed.

In addition, Goff says for those growers grafting trees in May, the four-flap graft and bark graft methods can be used.

Another important maintenance step during May is to keep orchards mowed and clean to help cut down on pest problems.