The following are common problems and some suggestions for correcting them. This fact sheet will cover the most common reasons for poor production (quality and quantity) of nuts. Because there’s an increase in acreages of Pecans, Texas state tree is now facing major problems with diseases, weeds, and pests. The fungus girdles the trunk near the soil line. The females overwinter in the soil beneath the tree and emerge from August through October. Poplars (Populus sp.). Yes, folks; if your pecan tree has sap dripping from it, it’s probably the digestive remnants from either the black margined or yellow pecan tree aphid. There are thousands of mature pecan trees around homes, many with sparse and erratic production. I have a 100-year-old pecan tree in my small backyard. Diseased trees die quickly after becoming infected. Pecan trees need to be planted in a deep hole of around 4 feet, in well-draining soil. In reality, your tree probably has yellow aphids, which tend to affect pecan trees anywhere from June to July, leaving a substance behind known as honey dew. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) not included. The seeping from the pecan trees is simply honeydew , a sweet, charming nomenclature for aphid poop. They crawl or fly up the tree and lay their eggs in the nuts. Trees invaded by the cotton root rot fungus produce yellow foliage and become defoliated. Pecan Trees: Common Problems and Suggestions. Losses have been observed 13 years after planting. Here are some insects commonly plaguing pecan trees: Pecan we evil — Adults have a long snout and the larva feeds on the nut. Pecans are commonly grown all over Texas, for both commercial purposes and in private yards. If you have shallow soil or rocky ground, then it isn’t a good choice of position for your pecan tree. You'll pay for its fast growth. There are other reasons not to have a pecan tree too close to the house. A seeping pecan tree is more than likely afflicted with pecan tree aphids. The roots of the pecan tree are invaded and killed disrupting the transportation of water to the leaves. Mistletoe loves it. The soil around the tree is hard and packed, and the tree's roots make it impossible to grow much of anything near the tree. Most pecan diseases are caused by pathogenic fungi that remain dormant during the winter months on twigs, leaves, nut shucks, and bark, either in the tree or on the soil. Pecan trees are prone to fungus diseases such as scab, powdery mildew, crown gall and wood or heart rots, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. In early spring, under warm humid conditions, the fungi begin active growth and produce conidia (spores) that are disseminated to growing tissues by wind, rain, and insects. Because the tree can grow to 75 feet in height and canopy width, it needs a lot of room. Water oak (Quercus nigra). Usually, there is no single reason why a pecan tree fails to produce a crop or produces poor quality nuts. For best results against yellow aphids, use an insecticide with 1.47 percent imidacloprid, such as Bayer Advanced Tree … Pecan trees also require full sun throughout the day, so they should not be planted in an area that experiences any shade. Larvae feed on the nuts, then chew an exit hole out of the shell. Beautiful tree, just not near the house. Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Red maple (Acer rubrum) Silver maple (Acer saccharinum). ... For more information on pecan diseases, please see fact sheet HGIC 2211, Pecan Diseases. There are a multitude of reasons why a pecan tree may fail to produce either the quality and/or quantity of nuts desired. Other Problems. Pecan (Carya illinoiensis).