Pecan Trees

[NoMinners]

This guy just cut down a lot full of big pecan trees. I would think these would make good brushpiles. I have never had the chance to use pecans because nobody ever cuts them down. Any suggestions?

[crataegus]

NM,

The pecan tree is a species of hickory (Carya illinoensis). So proceed like you would with a lot full of fresh cut hickory--with excitement!

[NIMROD]

Don't see why it won't work. Just save the bigger pieces for cooking wood for the smoker.

[NoMinners]

I did save the bigger for my smoker. I thought these would be great trees.

[slabbandit]

I agree with NIMROD, take the pieces that are about as long as your boat and sink them on or near a drop-off. How big are they at the base? If they are too large you may just be able to use the bigger limbs.

[NoMinners]

Some of the ones I grabbed are about 4 in. at the base. So is the best place on the flat before the drop, or on the downside slope itself?

[jimmydee1]

NoMinners: Go to pondboss.com. More information about structure than you'd ever want to know by some true experts who will be more than glad to share information with you. This site will truly amaze you. Try it, you'll like it.

[NoMinners]

That is a good site. Thank you.

[poppop]

crataegus...tell me something as you seem to be knowledgeable about trees. I do not know a botanist personally maybe you or one of my crappie.com members will know. At this time of year you see a lot of little branches cut off of hardwood trees lying all over the ground with a circular cut at the base of the branch. I notice this mostly on oak, pecan and hickory trees. This occurs this time of the year only about the time squirrels starts cutting nuts. All my life I though it was the squirrels cutting these branches off. I was told by a hunting friend the other day it was a type of worm doing this. I am somewhat skeptical and was hoping someone would know and could point me in the direction with some documentation. My friend is the type that would believe his is right...so I would have to prove it to him. Thanks for any help.

[crataegus]

poppop,

I can't say I've ever heard anything about a worm that cuts branches. First, true worms don't really have a mouth--which is good, because if they did, they would be even uglier. There are countless beetle larvae (grubs) that chew tunnels through dead wood--and some prefer live cambium (the thin green layer right under the outer bark). But, through 4 years of horticulture training I never studied anything twig pruning insects. If there is such an insect, I would be almost positive it would be in the Lepidoptera (caterpiller-butterfly) class because larvae in that class cut through petioles, leaves, and pine needles, and other non woody plant parts.

Back in Illinois, I watched every fall about this same time as squirrels chewed through live ash twigs. I'm not sure if they were building nests or if like all other rodents, they were simply trying to keep their ever-extending teeth from growing too long--just chewing because they have to.

I'll look into it some, though.