Georgia tree-crop growing guide
Pecans are more than a Southern flavor in Georgia—they are one of the state's signature agricultural crops. A pecan tree can live and produce for generations, but successful home production depends on giving a very large tree enough room, choosing compatible cultivars, planning for pollination, and taking Georgia's humid climate and pecan scab pressure seriously.
A long-term landscape decision
Commercial pecan production in Georgia began in the late 1800s.
A major pecan planting boom transformed parts of southwest Georgia between about 1910 and 1925.
Georgia became the nation's leading pecan-producing state by the 1950s.
Georgia was identified by the state Department of Agriculture as the nation's top pecan producer in 2025.
Pecan trees can become roughly 75 to 100 feet tall, making long-term site selection especially important.
Georgia agricultural identity
Georgia's commercial pecan story took off later than many people might expect. Small-scale commercial production appeared in the late 1800s, followed by a major planting boom in southwest Georgia from roughly 1910 to 1925. Dougherty and Mitchell counties became important centers of the industry, and by the 1950s Georgia had become the nation's leading pecan-producing state.
Pecans remain part of Georgia's agricultural identity today. The Georgia Department of Agriculture identified Georgia as the nation's top producer of pecans in 2025, alongside peanuts and broilers. Southwest Georgia remains especially important to the crop, with the Albany area playing a major role in the industry's history.
Pecans are one of Georgia's signature agricultural products and deserve the same regional storytelling treatment as peaches, peanuts and Vidalia onions. For a home gardener, however, the important reality is scale: pecan trees become large, long-lived trees and need substantial permanent space.
Site first, tree second
A cultivar that works well in South Georgia may not be ideal for North Georgia. Cold tolerance, spring freeze risk, disease pressure and harvest timing all matter.
Cultivar, pollination and scab
There is no single “best” pecan for every Georgia yard. UGA emphasizes cultivar selection because home gardeners generally cannot spray mature pecan trees the way a commercial orchard can. Scab resistance therefore deserves extra weight in a backyard planting.
Known for excellent nut quality and a long record of strong scab resistance, but it can be vulnerable to late spring freezes and is not UGA's preferred choice for colder North Georgia sites.
Produces a large nut and has shown strong scab resistance, although resistance can change as disease populations adapt.
Among cultivars UGA has listed for yard-tree plantings, with their own tradeoffs in bearing, pests, maturity and nut quality.
Notable for cold hardiness and a useful option where late freezes make Elliott less suitable.
Pollination matters: UGA recommends at least two compatible varieties where nearby pecan pollen sources are limited. Pecan cultivars flower in different patterns, so choose a compatible Type I and Type II combination rather than simply buying two trees with different names.
Know the crop
A pecan is a type of tree nut that is native to North America. Pecans are known for their sweet, buttery flavor and are often used in cooking and baking. They are typically encased in a hard, dark brown shell and are harvested from trees. Pecans are a good source of nutrients, including fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. They are also a source of healthy unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Pecans can be eaten on their own as a snack, or they can be used in a variety of dishes and recipes, such as pecan pie and pecan-crusted chicken.
Care across the year
Pecans are long-lived trees, so their care is better viewed as an annual cycle than as a short vegetable-style growing season.
Dormant-season planting is common for bare-root trees. Planting dates should reflect local weather and tree condition rather than one fixed statewide date.
Trees leaf out, flower and begin the pollination process. Young trees need consistent moisture as growth accelerates.
Nuts develop and size. Water stress during this period can reduce nut development. Warm, wet conditions also increase pecan scab pressure.
Depending on cultivar and location, shucks split as nuts mature and harvest begins. Pick up nuts promptly and remove poor-quality or damaged material.
Dormancy is a good time to evaluate tree structure, remove damaged wood when appropriate and plan soil or fertility testing for the coming season.
Identify before treating
Georgia pecans can face both insect pests and diseases. For home trees, correct identification and cultivar choice are especially important because spraying a mature pecan canopy is often impractical.
Description: A fungal disease favored by Georgia's warm, humid and rainy conditions.
Damage: Dark lesions can develop on leaves and shucks, and severe infections can reduce nut quality and yield.
Management: For home plantings, choosing cultivars with useful scab resistance is one of the most practical defenses. Sanitation can help reduce carry-over of disease, and any fungicide use should follow current Georgia recommendations and the product label.
Description: Brownish beetles with distinctive snouts.
Damage: Pecan weevil larvae feed on developing pecan nuts, causing premature nut drop and reduced yields.
Control: Monitor nut development and pest activity and maintain good orchard sanitation. If treatment is warranted, use current Georgia recommendations and a product labeled for pecans and the identified pest.
Description: Small moths with brownish wings.
Damage: Larvae tunnel into developing pecan nuts, causing damage and reducing nut quality.
Control: Monitor nut development and pest activity and maintain good orchard sanitation. If treatment is warranted, use current Georgia recommendations and a product labeled for pecans and the identified pest.
Description: Small, soft-bodied insects that come in various colors.
Damage: Aphids feed on pecan foliage, causing leaf curling, distortion, and the production of honeydew, which can attract sooty mold.
Control: Conserve natural enemies and monitor aphid populations before treating. Large mature trees make unnecessary or poorly timed sprays especially undesirable.
Description: Small moths with brownish wings.
Damage: Larvae feed on developing pecan nuts, causing damage and reducing yields.
Control: Monitor nut development and pest activity and maintain good orchard sanitation. If treatment is warranted, use current Georgia recommendations and a product labeled for pecans and the identified pest.
Description: Small, dark aphids.
Damage: Black pecan aphids feed on pecan foliage, causing leaf curling, distortion, and reduced photosynthesis.
Control: Conserve natural enemies and monitor black pecan aphid injury. Use labeled controls only when populations and damage justify treatment.
Description: Shield-shaped insects with various colors.
Damage: Stink bugs feed on pecan nuts, causing damage to the kernel and reducing nut quality.
Control: Monitor nut injury and maintain orchard sanitation. Use labeled controls only when pest pressure warrants treatment.
Description: White, fuzzy caterpillars with black spots.
Damage: Fall webworms create large webs on pecan trees, enclosing foliage and causing defoliation.
Control: On small trees, remove reachable webbing or heavily affected material when practical while conserving beneficial insects. Large established trees often tolerate some webworm feeding.
Description: Tiny, reddish-brown mites.
Damage: Pecan scorch mites feed on the undersides of pecan leaves, causing stippling, discoloration, and leaf drop.
Control: Confirm mite activity and monitor leaf injury before treating. Conserve natural enemies and use a labeled miticide only when warranted.
Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, including regular monitoring, early detection, and a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical controls, can help manage pest problems in pecan orchards effectively. Always follow recommended guidelines for the specific pest control methods you choose.
Plan around a mature canopy
A mature pecan is a large shade tree with an extensive root system, so companion planting is different from a vegetable bed. Keep young trees free from strong grass and weed competition near the trunk. Farther from the tree, shade-tolerant groundcovers or seasonal flowers can add diversity without repeated deep cultivation around roots.
Remember the long view: today's sunny space beneath a young pecan may become deep shade as the canopy expands.
From tree to kitchen
Depending on cultivar and location, shucks split as nuts mature and harvest begins. Pick up nuts promptly and remove poor-quality or damaged material.
Use clean, sound kernels and store extras airtight so their flavor stays fresh.
Pecans move naturally from the orchard into Southern kitchens. Beyond pecan pie, their rich flavor works in salads, savory coatings, baked goods and snacks. The recipes below give a Georgia pecan harvest another destination.
Cook the harvest
The salad and pecan-crusted chicken are followed by Classic Georgia Pecan Pie and Maple Cinnamon Roasted Pecans; more harvest ideas are available in the 225-recipe Garden-to-Kitchen collection.
These recipes highlight the rich and nutty flavor of pecans in both a vibrant salad and a savory pecan-crusted baked chicken.
Mixed greens topped with maple-candied pecans, apples, feta and maple balsamic vinaigrette.
Chicken breasts coated with seasoned pecans and breadcrumbs, then baked until crisp and tender.
Georgia pecans crown a traditional amber filling in a flaky crust for a rich, sliceable Southern dessert.
Garden note: The pie is done before the center becomes completely firm; carryover heat finishes the set. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Georgia pecan halves roast in a light maple-cinnamon coating for a crisp, sweet-spiced snack with a touch of salt.
Garden note: The coating crisps as the pecans cool. Store them airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
Keep growing
Pecans connect naturally to some of Georgia's other signature crops.
Continue with the complete Fruit Gardening in Georgia guide, Georgia Planting Calendar, Companion Planting, Harvesting Guides, Georgia Growing Guides, Seasonal Produce and Pest & Disease Help.
Pecan cultivar recommendations, pollination combinations and disease-management guidance can change over time. For research-based recommendations, consult University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and your county Extension office.