Trees

Beech trees are an iconic staple in many landscapes, whether man-made or natural. However, one of the key factors in growing a healthy, beautiful tree is allowing it enough space to reach its full potential. No matter the amount of care you put in otherwise, a tree needs a certain amount of space for its roots to spread.

How much space do beech trees need? Mature beech trees generally need between 40 and 50 feet of space. Juveniles being transplanted may need less, although they will struggle if not moved to an area with more available space. 

A common mistake is assuming that because beech trees have shallow roots they need less space than other trees with deeper root systems. However, beech trees are right on par with other species of large trees- and 40 to 50 feet of space is perfectly average. As we go through this guide, you’ll learn more about planting and spacing beech trees, as well as the different species you can select for the best fit. 

Let’s Talk About Beech Trees

To begin, let’s take a look at beech trees in general. Beech trees are known for their silver to gray-toned bark, which tends to be thinner than other types of trees. It’s this bark that can also make them an ideal contrast to many landscapes as the seasons change. 

Another notable aspect of beech trees is their wide-spreading habit. This makes them ideal for filling up empty spaces in the landscape, as well as providing plenty of shade (and shelter) for humans and wildlife alike. 

Beech trees typically have serrated leaves (meaning you can see ‘teeth’ or ridges along the edges), although the rest of the leaves are relatively smooth in texture with a classic green hue. When trees flower in the spring, they grow male flowers that have a yellowish-green color. 

The Space Beech Trees Need

As we mentioned, most beech trees need at least 40 to 50 feet of space to grow properly. This isn’t surprising, as most large trees should have at least this much space to remain healthy as they grow into maturity. 

There are some crucial reasons behind this ample spacing that you should take note of. 

Spacing beech trees properly isn’t solely to make sure that they get as wide and as tall as possible. And spacing beech trees far from other trees also doesn’t mean they can’t have other neighboring plants near them. 

One reason that beech trees need so much space is that they have a shallow root system. If you plant other trees or very large plants too close to them, beech trees often grow suckers. 

Suckers are growths that are extensions of the tree itself. You can think of these as the ‘mini me’ of the tree. This might not seem like an issue, although the more suckers that grow, the more nutrients are taken away from the main tree itself. Not only that, but it can cause some problems while doing the rest of your landscaping. 

Another reason beech trees need space is also due to their shallow root systems. These shallow roots can be unintentionally damaged by planting too close to the tree’s main trunk. To help prevent accidental damage, it’s a good idea to mulch around your beech tree as a signal not to interfere with the critical root zone. 

Keep in mind that beech trees don’t just grow to be very tall. They also grow to be very wide. 

The mature spread (also known as the width) of beech trees can reach up to 80 feet! If you plant other trees in the proximity of this spread, chances are that either one or both of the trees will end up being damaged. As branches collide and rub against each other, it opens up several different opportunities for breakage and scrapes that can lead to greater issues later on. 

By placing beech trees far enough away from other trees, you can reduce extra pruning (due to damaged limbs) and allow each tree to get enough light and resources to properly grow. Annals of Botany shows the effects on beech trees when they’re surrounded by other trees. 

Give Them Space From Foundations

Although beech trees have a shallow root system, that doesn’t mean that they’re good company for man-made structures. That doesn’t mean you can’t plant a beech in your yard, but you need to be mindful of the space. 

At the least, you should plant beech trees no less than 20 feet away from your home, although you should give them 35 feet or more. 

Remember that beech trees have root systems that expand far from their trunks. The more space away from foundations, sidewalks, and roads that you can give your beech tree the better.  

Benefits Of Having a Beech Tree

There are obvious aesthetic benefits to having a beech tree. These towering trees are a seamless addition to many landscapes and provide visually pleasing pops of color wherever they’re planted. 

While you may be most interested in the size and appearance of the beech tree, there are plenty of other reasons to plant a beech tree as well. 

Shelter For Wildlife

Beech trees are well known for providing shelter to local wildlife. It’s an even bigger bonus if you’re a fan of spotting different species of birds or enjoy seeing little critters run about. 

However, the fact is, beech trees provide crucial shelter for a variety of wildlife, all of which are important to the balance of the ecosystem. 

As more trees are taken down, large trees like the beech can provide homes for many species. Not only that, they’re a beacon in the summer due to the vast amounts of shade they create. 

As an added bonus, the beechnuts they grow are a favorite source of nutrition for several species of wildlife. So consider planting a beech tree for the greater good of the surrounding ecosystem. You’ll provide food, shelter, shade, and ultimately, some measure of safety. 

Easier Maintenance

For as large as they are, you might be surprised to find that beech trees actually require less maintenance than many other large tree species. 

In particular, beech trees don’t need trimming as frequently as many other trees. For many tree owners, this is a huge relief- trimming is often one of the biggest chores you have to worry about when you’re caring for your tree.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can neglect to prune your beech tree altogether. However, you can limit a lot of the pruning and trim to that which is strictly necessary. 

For instance, you don’t need to worry about trimming back limbs when they’re perfectly healthy and growing normally. You should, however, prune branches that rub against others or have visible damage. 

How To Plant A Beech Tree

If you’re thinking about how much space beech trees need, you’re probably also considering planting one. Planting a beech tree isn’t too difficult, although you do need to consider more than just spacing before you start digging. 

Beech trees can live between 200 and 300 years. 

That means that where you plant should be a careful decision. It’s not as though you’re planting a tree with a shorter lifespan of only 40 to 60 years. This tree is going to last for several generations and through many changes to the surrounding landscape.

Beech trees, like any other tree species, must compete with their neighbors if they’re too close together. In a publication from Oecologia, however, beech trees were seen overtaking oaks when their roots were competing for resources.  

Soon, we’ll cover exactly what requirements you need to fulfill to keep your beech tree healthy. But for now, let’s get to the foundations of what makes planting a beech tree successful. 

Find The Right Soil

Fortunately, beech trees can tolerate a wide variety of different soil types. That’s a bonus if you have soil that may not be ideal for other species of trees. If you really want to optimize your tree’s growth, it’s best to plant in the ideal soil type. 

Beech trees prefer soil that is slightly acidic, with plenty of nutrients (although you can add nutrients if your soil is somewhat lacking). With that said, beech trees can tolerate soil types including more acidic, loamy, clay, slightly sandy, and more. 

The best soil for beech trees is slightly acidic, rich in nutrients, and well-draining. 

You can test your soil with a kit like the Moistenland 4-in-1 soil meter. It allows you to detect pH (acidity or alkalinity), moisture levels, nutrient density, and light that reaches the area.   

Planting The Tree

You can plant beech trees from seed. However, it will take significantly longer for the tree to reach a substantial height. Juvenile trees also require somewhat more care than established trees. Consider this when you choose to grow a beech tree from seed (although it’s certainly possible to choose this route). 

Your other option is to buy a young tree from a nursery. This is the route the majority of people choose because it gives you a head start on the tree’s growth, and makes the early years more manageable. 

Before you start getting ready to plant, make sure you select a site with plenty of room for the tree to spread out. 

That means you should ensure your tree will have at least 40 feet to spread out in any direction. 

When you’re ready to plant, it’s just a few steps until you can put your tree into the ground. Now, it’s time to start digging. Take note of the size of your tree’s root ball. The hole you dig should be larger than the root ball by two or three times, at least. 

Digging a larger hole serves many purposes, although the largest is to allow the dense root ball to spread out. Because digging inevitably loosens the soil, you’ll be making it easier for the root system to become established. 

You should always check nutrient levels in your soil before you plant. If your soil isn’t exactly nutrient-dense, you can add compost to the bottom of the hole, and the soil you’ll fill the hole with. 

You can use a compost like Charlie’s Compost if you don’t want to make your own, or don’t have time to.

Once you have these steps finished, go ahead and gently place your beech tree in the hole. Try to keep it even and level to allow it to grow straight more easily. Fill in the hole with the remaining soil around the tree. You don’t need to pack the dirt too tightly- you still want to give the roots some wiggle room. 

Beech Tree Requirements

So, once you’ve planted your beech tree, what else do you need to do to ensure its health? Beech tree requirements aren’t exceptionally hard to manage, although you do need to take care of a few key factors.

Soil and space are important- but so are proper watering, nutrient enrichment, and the right amount of sunlight. 

If you have naturally nutrient-dense soil, then you’re lucky. However, trees will certainly use up many of these nutrients over time. Fertilize your beech tree at least once annually once it’s established. 

Use a fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). These nutrients are the main parts of the NPK formula, which should be listed on any fertilizer you buy. Look for a fertilizer with a ratio that shows all of these in equal parts (ex. 5-5-5 or 10-10-10). 

Then, measure the root zone of your tree. For most beech trees, this is an area that extends around 12 inches beyond the canopy of your tree. 

You only need to spread fertilizer over the root zone. Once you apply the fertilizer, make sure to water the soil where the application is to allow it to seep down to the roots. 

Another thing you should know is- beech trees are somewhat sensitive to drought, and even more so when they’re younger. 

Young beech trees need more frequent watering than established trees. As the tree matures, you won’t have to water it quite as often. However, juvenile beech trees should be watered weekly unless there’s rain. 

This is another category in which mulch becomes important. As we mentioned earlier, mulch helps protect beech trees from accidental damage to their naturally shallow root zones. In the case of juvenile beech trees, mulch also helps retain moisture in the soil- which they very much need. An added benefit of mulching is that it slowly releases nutrients into the soil. 

Are There Smaller Types Of Beech Trees?

Let’s say you love the look and the benefits of beech trees, but you’re not sure if you can handle such a large tree. You’re certainly not alone. 

Are there smaller varieties of beech trees? In fact, there are small species of beech trees which include:

• Dwarf beech (many varieties and cultivars)
• Tricolor beech
• Tortuosa beech
• Purple Beech
• Parasol beech

Up next, we’ll look at these smaller beech species and what you should know about each of them. 

Dwarf Beech

As the common name indicates, this species is much like the traditional beech tree, although smaller. Like other species of beech trees, the dwarf beech group has many different cultivars.

Cultivars of dwarf beech trees vary greatly in size, appearance, and coloring, as well as requirements, and tolerances. 

This is fortunate for people that don’t have space for a full-size beech tree. There are cultivars to fit every landscape and every preference. Next, we’ll look at some of the most popular and most common varieties of dwarf beeches. 

Tri-Color Beech

The tri-color beech (Fagus sylvatica Purpurea and Fagus sylvatica Roseomarginata) stays true to its name with leaves that vary in color from green to pinkish purple and white along variegated edges. As the seasons turn, the spectacle of color becomes even more compelling when the leaves take on warm golden and bronze hues. 

These trees need less sun than other varieties- partial sun is ideal. If they receive too much sun, the leaves become discolored. 

If you like beech trees but have less space to plant, tri-color beech trees might be the right fit. 

These trees reach a maximum height of 30 feet and have a spread of about 20 to 25 feet at the most. Because of this, they also require much less room than larger species of beech. Aside from that, they have many of the same requirements as other beech trees, 

Tri-color beech trees grow best in USDA zones 4 to 7.

Tortuosa Beech

Fagus sylvatica Tortuosa or Tortuosa beech is one of the smallest varieties of beech trees. It reaches only 10 to 15 feet upon reaching maturity, making it suitable for smaller landscapes and yards. 

Tortuosa beech trees are easily recognized by their twisting, contorted growth habit. 

This small beech species has the sleek, silvery bark of larger beech trees, with smooth, somewhat shiny green foliage. They have a fair spreading habit, although their crown tends to grow closer to the ground. The somewhat weeping form and dense canopy of the tree add to its appeal. 

Tortuosa beech trees still provide plenty of shade and remain a spectacle in the landscape no matter the time of year. 

Tortuosa beech trees are best suited to USDA zones 5a to 9b. 

Purple Beech

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple,’ or the ‘Purple Beech’ are easy to care for, even with how low maintenance the typical beech is. As you might glean from the name, they’re known for their eye-catching purple hues. However, this tree isn’t limited to purple alone. 

Purple beech trees begin with warm red foliage in springtime, and progress to green violet by summer. By winter, they go through another color change to gold and bronze. 

This particular cultivar of purple beech does well with both full and partial sun. If you want to optimize the color, however, it’s best to plant them where they can get full sun. Dawyck purple beech trees typically reach around 25 to 30 feet at maturity, although they can be pruned as they grow to maintain a smaller size. 

They’re low maintenance and have very few problems- as a bonus, they’re even deer resistant. As long as they’re in well-draining soil, and receive proper nutrients, you can expect an easy tree to care for. 

Dawyck purple beech trees grow best in USDA zones 4a through 7b. 

Note: there are many cultivars of purple beech, and not all of them are dwarf varieties. Make sure to check the specific species you’re looking to plant. Even established varieties may have different characteristics, depending on how they were grafted (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry).

Parasol Beech

Fagus sylvatica ‘Tortuosa Purpurea,’ or the Parasol Beech, is similar to the Dawyck purple beech in a few ways. Not only that, but it combines some of the most unique characteristics of other dwarf beech cultivars. 

Parasol beeches grow to only about 10 to 15 feet tall at the very most. In fact, many of these trees can reach only 5 to 10 feet tall and are often wider than they are tall. Like other purple beeches, they have violet to reddish leaves which transition to gold and bronze once autumn arrives. The leaves also have a smooth, shiny texture that adds another aspect to their visual interest. 

Another notable characteristic of the parasol beech is that it combines purple foliage with contorting, twisting branches and has a nearly weeping habit. 

Like the other purple beeches, it does well in full or partial sun, although full sun exposure is a requirement to maximize the foliage’s color. 

These trees are hardy to USDA zones 4 to 7. 

Wrapping It Up

The most important thing to remember when you plant a beech tree is to give it at least 50 feet of space. Dwarf beech cultivars are smaller and therefore have less space requirements. However, you should always check the needs of your specific species. 

These trees will be a lasting fixture in your landscape for hundreds of years if you tend them properly, and it all starts with finding the right space. 

Resources

Leuschner, C., Hertel, D., Coners, H., & Büttner, V. (2001). Root competition between beech and oak: a hypothesis. Oecologia, 126(2), 276-284.

Nicolini, E., Chanson, B., & Bonne, F. (2001). Stem growth and epicormic branch formation in understorey beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.). Annals of botany, 87(6), 737-750.

NONIĆ, M. Ž., SKOČAJIĆ, D. M., GRBIĆ, M. N., & ŠIJAČIĆ-NIKOLIĆ, M. T. (2017). Variability of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Clones Produced by Grafting. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 45(2), 400-407.

We all know that conifers have beautiful cones. Many of us even take them indoors in the wintertime to liven up our homes with their fragrance and appearance. But have you ever considered their purpose?

Spruce trees get cones so that they can reproduce. Cones are a protective housing for their seeds to prevent animals from eating them before they’re fully developed. Cones drop when the temperature is ready for new trees to grow!

Read on for an extensive guide on the purpose of spruce tree cones and how they work!

Spruce Trees Make Cones For Reproduction

On conifers, you will find both female and male cones on the same tree.

Male cones release pollen. Female cones capture the pollen while it blows in the wind. How cool!

Eventually, the pollen and “megaspore” combine and grow into a baby conifer. The baby conifer is all tucked away in a seed, just waiting to grow into a new tree.

Cones Act As A Protective Housing For Seeds

Now that you know how the baby conifers end up in the seeds, it only makes sense that they need to be protected.

Cones are like the ultimate seed armor. They’re strong and tuck the seeds safely away.

Just try opening up a closed cone and you’ll see how stubborn they are!

Nature is always full of surprises, and the cone is truly a work of art.

Putting It Together

Let’s recap those last two sections into one cohesive story!

1. Pollen from male cones gets caught in the wind and captured by female cones.
2. A baby tree is formed and tucked away in the seed.
3. The cone protects a bunch of seeds by staying tightly shut.

Awesome! Now onto the next stage of the cycle.

When Do Spruce Tree Cones Drop?

We all know the feeling of walking through the woods in awe at all the beautiful cones on the forest floor with their scent floating in the air.

Cones Begin To Drop In Late Summer

Spruce cones ripen between late August and early September.

Cones start to fall after they’ve dried and opened up, releasing their seeds.

Spruce cones dry out when the sap flow gets cut off. Then, the stem that the cone is attached to closes up.

Spruce Trees Tend To Stop Dropping Cones In Early Fall

Once the temperatures start to drop, the dropping stops!

By early fall, most of the cones have dropped and opened up in the hopes of creating new spruce trees.

It Takes Two: A Two-Year Cycle of Cone Production, That Is!

Spruce trees take two years for their cones to mature.

Buds form during the first year. In fact, many species of baby spruce cones are edible in at the beginning of their life cycle!

Then, the cones develop and drop during the second year. This is what leads to the new trees really being established.

Spruce Trees May Drop Cones At Other Times If Weather Patterns Change

So we’ve already learned that spruce trees drop their cones between late August and September.

But if temperatures stay too hot, the spruce trees won’t get the message to drop their cones.

On the same token, if temperatures cool down early, the spruce trees will think it’s time to drop much earlier than they usually would.

High Temperatures And Drought Can Lead To A Lot Of Cones

According to Michigan State University, heat and drought can lead to “bumper crops” of cones.

In response to stress, the trees create excessive buds in an attempt to protect their species and make sure it lives on.

Because of the two-year cycle, many cones will be produced in the year following any stressful weather.

Similarly, other stressful conditions can also stimulate spruce trees to drop more cones. For instance, if they aren’t in their optimal acidic pH soil, they may create more cones.

How Do Spruce Tree Seeds Work In Cones?

Now that we’ve covered cones, let’s talk about the spruce tree seeds! Although they may seem like simple structures, cones can be incredibly complex, and are usually adapted to specific dispersal methods.

Cones Simply Act As Initial Protection

Cones are like the ultimate armor.

Seeds are tucked away as snug as a bug in a rug, surrounded by strong woody material that won’t open even if you try to rip it apart with your bare hands! Try getting through that, squirrels!

It’s quite genius how cones originally act to capture pollen and then go on to close up and protect the baby trees while they do their thing.

When Dry, Cones And Seeds Can Fall To The Ground

Cones fall to the ground once they’ve dried up enough to open.

By drying out, the tension in the cones is released and they open all their treasures into the world.

Once they’re dry, they have no purpose left on the tree and fall to the ground when shaken by the wind.

Especially when the ground is fertilized, they’ll establish themselves in the soil. Read our piece on the 5 best spruce tree fertilizers (and how to use them.)

Falling To The Ground Can Help Disperse Seeds

While the cone is falling, seeds begin to fly out of the cone and sprinkle into the surrounding area. Kind of like a dandelion, except not as extreme.

Likewise, when the cone hits the ground, the pure shock of the impact rattles some seeds around and sends them flying in all directions.

Animal Activity Can Help Seeds Spread

Now comes the best part- the animals!

Squirrels love to collect and bury seeds. Since cones fall during late summer, it’s the perfect time for squirrels to start collecting for the upcoming winter.

Likewise, birds will peck at the seeds and then transport them to different locations (you know how)!

How Long Does It Take Fresh Spruce Seeds To Germinate?

Since the whole point of cones is to protect the seeds (although we may like to think it’s to make us happy), it’s important to go over the germination process.

Most Spruce Seeds Require A Cold Dormant Period

Though spruce trees need more sun than shade, they also require periods of cold to balance out the warm, sunny weather that keeps them energized. Just like many plants, spruce seeds need a period of dormancy in order to germinate.

This is similar to cacti, which need to “winter over.”

You can think of it like hibernation, where the seeds are waiting for the right weather to wake up.

All seeds are technically alive, complete with food reserves and everything!

When Temperatures Rise, It Can Take 1-3 Weeks

Once temperatures rise, this tells the spruce seeds to germinate and “wake up” as discussed before.

A set of enzyme and protein reactions start to take place within the seed, eating up the food reserves and beginning the process of growing roots and a shoot.

Spruce seeds usually depend on animals to bury them or stomp them into the ground in order to germinate.

You can read our article about the 8 best plants to plant under your spruce tree because it makes a difference which plants are sharing your spruce’s soil.

In that same vein, there are also 13 plants not to plant under your spruce tree.

Stored Spruce Seeds Can Last A Long Time

If you store spruce seeds in a cool, dry place, they can last for quite some time!

Knowing how to store seeds is a good skill to have in general. It can save you money in a vegetable garden and make you feel more self-sufficient.

Tightly sealed glass containers are a wonderful vehicle for storing your seeds.

Really, storing spruce seeds is just one more way to reach self-sufficiency! You can use a container like this ZENS Airtight Glass Jar to make sure that your seeds stay properly stored.

Plus, people who are reforesting areas need a way to preserve seeds for their research and environmental efforts.

Quick Recap

Now that we’ve gone over the essentials, there is really only one thing left to do.

Time to recap!

• Spruce trees develop cones in order to reproduce
• The cones contain seeds
• Cones drop and open up in late summer
• Seeds require a period of dormancy
• Seeds store well and can help reforestation efforts

I hope that this piece helped you to feel more informed about spruce trees and their workings. We’ll see you next time, friends.

References

Aniszewska, M., Gendek, A., & Zychowicz, W. (2018). Analysis of selected physical properties of conifer cones with relevance to energy production efficiency. Forests, 9(7), 405.

Kerzenmacher, T., & Gardiner, B. (1998). A mathematical model to describe the dynamic response of a spruce tree to the wind. Trees, 12(6), 385-394.

Huang, J., Hammerbacher, A., Gershenzon, J., van Dam, N. M., Sala, A., McDowell, N. G., … & Hartmann, H. (2021). Storage of carbon reserves in spruce trees is prioritized over growth in the face of carbon limitation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(33), e2023297118.

Castagneri, D., Storaunet, K. O., & Rolstad, J. (2013). Age and growth patterns of old Norway spruce trees in Trillemarka forest, Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 28(3), 232-240.

Camphor trees are large trees with large canopies that grow in the United States in several parts of the country but are native to Asia, especially Japan and China. These trees have varied purposes, so there are several places you might find them. 

Some of the most common places where camphor trees grow include streets, yards, and forests, so their locations are very versatile. Camphor trees are very controversial among gardeners and homeowners because the trees have a lot of positive attributes but they also have some problems. 

Read on to learn more about camphor trees, their uses and purposes, and why you might see them anywhere from lining your sidewalk to your neighbor’s front yard or an ancient forest in Japan. 

Some Key Facts About Camphor Trees

Camphor trees are a tree you may not have heard of, as they aren’t as common as oaks or maples, but they are still a common tree found in many parts of the country. 

They make great shade trees and their oil is valued for its medicinal properties. But camphor oil is toxic to humans and pets, so use extreme caution when considering this tree. 

Camphor trees are a part of the laurel family, which also includes magnolia trees, another species of evergreen that does not have needles. Because of this, many people like to plant them so they can enjoy their foliage year-round. 

The Controversy Of Camphor Trees

Most of the controversy regarding camphor trees comes about because the trees are great for some purposes but they are extremely invasive and problematic for many reasons, so while some people love them and want to plant and grow them, other people hate camphor trees and want to eliminate them. 

Camphor trees are not native to the United States, but they can now be found in a number of areas of the country since they were introduced from Asia.

The same thing has also happened to Australia, where camphor trees were introduced from Asia and were originally grown on purpose as ornamental trees in yards and gardens, but the trees soon took over other plants and trees and now most people in Australia consider camphor trees to be like unwanted weeds. 

Camphor trees are fast-growing and aggressive, and they can kill other plants in their way as they spread and grow. But camphor trees are also huge, beautiful evergreens that provide beauty and shade, so many people welcome them into their neighborhoods. 

To decide which side you are on, read on for some more information about camphor trees, including their benefits and uses. Then ponder the common places these trees grow and decide for yourself which side of the argument you support. 

Camphor Oil 

Camphor trees are the source of camphor oil, which is prized among those who believe in herbal treatments for their anti-inflammatory properties. Camphor trees are from the laurel family and their leaves have a distinct smell when crushed. 

According to one of our other articles on 5 Reasons Why Lavender Needs Full Sun And Not Shade, camphor smells somewhat similar to French lavender. So the oil itself might remind some people of lavender oil, which is alleged to have a calming property and is sometimes recommended to help people sleep better. 

Camphor oil is not scientifically proven to have benefits, but it is used widely in natural remedy circles.

Like all things of this nature, make sure to check with your doctor and read all pertinent information before using camphor oil, and remember to always keep it far away from kids and pets!

Camphor Trees Are Invasive

According to the University of Florida, camphor trees are invasive, which means that they will take root and grow in many areas, including those where they are not wanted or might damage other plants or trees. Their roots are aggressive, which means they will continue to grow quickly and intensely even if there are other roots or objects in their way. 

If you want to plant a camphor tree, this is something to keep in mind, as you need to keep your new camphor tree away from any other plants, trees, or structures the roots might disrupt.

These also include the foundations of buildings, driveways, or the sidewalk, which might seem like a contradiction since camphor trees so often are used to line streets. 

Camphor trees spread very easily, even if you try to stop the spread by mowing the seeds, pulling the seedlings, or cutting down the saplings; they have been known to continue to grow even after they have been burned! Their fruit is picked up by birds that carry it all over the place, and the seedlings are really difficult to kill. 

Camphor Trees Are Not Native To The United States

According to the University of West Alabama and the Alabama Herbarium Consortium’s Alabama Plant Atlas, camphor trees are evergreen trees that came to the United States from Asia in the late nineteenth century.

They do not look like many evergreen trees we are used to here in America, as they have leaves instead of needles, but, like the magnolia tree, they are evergreens nonetheless. 

Camphor trees were introduced to Florida from Asia in the 1870s when they were meant to be used for decoration. After that, they began to spread and now can be found in many southern states. 

Camphor Leaves Have A Distinct Smell

One of the easiest ways to identify a camphor tree is to crush one of its leaves and see how it smells. If you smell something similar to mint or lavender, it’s probably a camphor tree. 

Since most tree identification requires you to know specifics like the type of bark, the shape of the leaves, or even very detailed specifics like how the leaf attaches to its stem, this is a very easy way to identify a tree! 

The smell is described as the smell of camphor, but, if you have never smelled camphor, you won’t know what to look for. Some people compare it to mint, others to lavender, others to menthol, but these sorts of smells can help you with your initial identification and then, once you have smelled it, you will know what to smell for in the future. 

Other Characteristics Of Camphor Trees

Camphor trees grow to be a huge 150 feet tall with canopies that can be as wide as 300 feet; they often grow to a smaller size than that, but they still have canopies as wide as the trees are tall, which makes them great trees for visual impact and shade. 

They grow best in full sun, like most trees, and they are tolerant of drought but they prefer very moist soil with low acidity. 

Camphor trees have green leaves that stay green year-round, and their scientific name is cinnamomum camphora. The camphor also has mostly white flowers and show up in late spring, and it has berries that are black and are spread widely by birds, making control of this invasive tree’s growth very difficult. 

Camphor trees do attract some wildlife, including birds, which are known to spread camphor seeds far and wide, and butterflies and deer. They are not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases, so they are quite hardy trees that can survive in several environments and through many harsh conditions. 

Where Do Camphor Trees Grow?

Now let’s take a look at some common places where camphor trees grow, including urban locations, residential locations, and widely varied parts of the world.

These locations can vary widely from area to area, and the uses of the camphor tree are quite varied, so this list is fairly eclectic. 

1. Along City Streets

Camphor trees are commonly found growing along streets to line them or line the sidewalks. This is because camphor trees are great for shade and therefore work well to help shade walkways and the streets that people drive on as well as the areas where people frequently walk or ride bicycles.

Camphor trees are used to line streets because they can tolerate the conditions of the city, like pollution, for example.

But camphor trees can take over other trees that are nearby, so while they work well along streets, you have to be careful that they do not grow too close to other species of trees or plants. 

Some camphor trees can live to be over 100 years old, so they are also chosen to line streets sometimes because they do not have to be replaced for a long time, meaning they can mature and provide shade to residents of those streets for decades.

Also, the evergreen nature of camphor trees makes them great for street shade because the shade is not lost in the winter when shade is still needed but leaves are sometimes scarce. 

2. In Residential Yards

Camphor trees, because they provide great shade, are commonly found in people’s yards. If you are looking for a large, evergreen shade tree, the camphor is a popular option, though there are some important things to beware of as you plant a camphor tree near your home. 

Camphor trees grow very quickly, so they are popular with homeowners for that reason.

If you want to grow a tree fast and you want some shade or even just the yard decoration of a mature tree very quickly, a camphor tree, which can grow about two feet each year, might be a great choice. 

As we have discussed, planting camphor is a controversial choice, so here are some of the pros and cons of planting a camphor tree in your yard. But, before we get into the details, here is a quick chart to sum it all up.

Some Benefits Of Growing Camphor Trees In Your Yard

Camphor trees are very pretty trees with glossy leaves and huge canopies, so they can look quite beautiful and impressive in a front or back yard.

If you are looking to plant a large shade tree or large ornamental tree, you might consider a camphor tree, especially if you want an evergreen tree that does not have needles. 

Camphor trees are prized for their resilience, which is a negative when you are trying to get rid of them but a positive when you want to plant a tree that can survive in harsh conditions. Camphor trees can grow around fences, other roots, structures, and obstacles. 

Another reason that people like to grow camphor trees is for their smell, which, as we mentioned earlier, is similar to that of French lavender, which many people enjoy. There are, however, other options for fragrant trees if you want to avoid a tree species that is so problematic. 

Some Cautions Of Growing Camphor Trees In Your Yard

Camphor trees are beautiful, huge trees with enormous canopies that can be as wide as 300 feet! This is an enormous canopy, so you can probably see the appeal for homeowners and gardeners looking for a fast-growing tree that can provide a lot of shade. 

But camphor trees produce tons of seeds, and those seeds often grow into trees, so unless you want multiple camphor trees, you can pull the seedlings or get rid of the seeds each year. The tradeoff for this is that camphor trees are evergreen, so there are fewer leaves to rake in the fall.

 Camphor trees also should not be planted very close to anything with a foundation or to other trees, as the roots of the camphor tree are very aggressive and can disrupt or destroy other things they encounter underground.

Avoid having to repave your driveway or fix a sidewalk break by planting your camphor tree far enough away from these things. 

3. In The Forests of Asia (And Australia)

Camphor trees are very common in the forests of the lands to which they are native, including parts of Asia such as China, Japan, and Korea. The trees also grow naturally in Australia. 

These trees prefer wet environments like forests with lots of rain, so they are found in abundance in their native habitats like the more warm and humid areas of Asia.

They are also found in eastern Australia, where they have become invasive and are more like weeds to many than trees. 

Camphor trees can grow in forests of varying elevations, and they can grow in forests that are near the coasts. They are very versatile and hardy trees, so while the forests of Asia and Australia are very common, they are certainly not the only places to find camphor trees. 

Camphor Trees Are Grown In Commercial Forests, Too

In Asia, camphor trees are also grown purposefully so their oil can be harvested and sold. As we already mentioned, camphor oil is highly touted for its medicinal uses, so it can be sold easily. 

4. In The United States

Camphor trees may not have originated here, but they grow here now in large numbers, mostly in southern states with high humidity like Florida, Georgia, and parts of Texas.

Because the camphor tree is an invasive species, it has now posed a threat to the Florida jujube tree, and it has been categorized as a level I invasive species in the state of Florida. 

If the invasive nature of camphor trees is a problem for you, one thing that can help is to mow any area where there may be camphor seeds, as this can stop them from growing into trees. You can also use herbicides to kill camphor seedlings before they grow into camphor trees. 

But some people plant camphor trees on purpose, as their huge canopies are great for shade and the massive size of these trees is something many people want in their yards, especially if they have larger yards.

So while some people are trying to get rid of camphor trees, others are encouraging their growth; it all depends on your goals for your yard. 

Camphor Trees Are Commonly Planted In Public Spaces

Camphor trees are also used frequently in public spaces like parks because they live a very long time. Some camphor trees are alleged to have lived for 1,000 years!

In Japan, there is even a camphor tree that is supposed to be 3,000 years old. Most camphor trees do not live this long, of course, but their long lives are an asset when people think about planting them in areas where you probably don’t want to have to frequently replace trees, like parks and public spaces. 

If you live near a park with a camphor tree, be aware that any seedlings you see in your yard probably need to be pulled quickly and you might need to start using a herbicide on them if you are sure they are camphor trees. Otherwise, you might end up with your unintentional camphor forest!

Important Toxicity Information Regarding Camphor Trees

Camphor oil, despite its frequent use in natural remedies, is toxic, especially to people, cats, and dogs. So if you have children or pets, you should avoid camphor oil. 

Some Common Ways To Give Extra Care To Camphor Trees

If you do want to plant a camphor tree, keep in mind the invasive nature of its seeds and the aggressive nature of its roots. This might mean that you mow regularly around your camphor tree to prevent seedlings from sprouting or that you keep your camphor tree’s roots far away from other trees or structures. 

To aid the health of your camphor tree, you can consider using fertilizer in the tree’s mature years.

Some types of fertilizer are formulated specifically for trees, like Scotts Evergreen, Flowering Tree, and Shrub Continuous Release Plant Food. Or, for a fertilizer option that does not have to be scattered along the ground, there are spikes, like Jobe’s Fertilizer Spikes for Tree and Shrub. 

Getting Rid Of Camphor Trees

Maybe you are here because you want to read not about how to plant a camphor tree but about how to get rid of one.

Camphor trees are, after all, an invasive species that can harm other trees, so not everyone is always happy to see them growing up out of the ground. 

If you are dealing with a problematic camphor tree, you can replace it with a tree that is not invasive but has similar properties, like a magnolia tree. Magnolia trees are large, evergreen trees with leaves instead of needles, plus they have huge white blooms, so these trees might be the perfect substitute for the invasive camphor tree. 

Another option is to use herbicide on top of seedlings and saplings, as the camphor tree is so invasive that it can still grow even if you have cut or mowed it.

Simply apply some herbicide directly to the place where you cut the camphor trees or the area where they were growing. 

That’s A Wrap!

Now that you have learned more about camphor trees, you may have either made up your mind to plant one or changed your mind about this controversial tree species.

Either way, you now have more information to help you analyze the uses of these huge trees and consider how their invasive nature impacts gardens, yards, and forests in the United States. 

References

Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M., & Shahlari, M. (2013). Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), is a traditional remedy with the history of treating several diseases. Int. J. Case Rep. Images, 4(2), 86-89.

Malabadi, R. B., Kolkar, K. P., Meti, N. T., & Chalannavar, R. K. (2021). An age old botanical weapon for herbal therapy: Camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora. Int. J. Innov. Sci. Res, 3, 1518-1523.

Zhou, Y., & Yan, W. (2016). Conservation and applications of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) in China: ethnobotany and genetic resources. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 63, 1049-1061.

Have you ever wondered about the strength of a walnut tree, and how likely they might be to fall? I hope you haven’t had to consider this first-hand, but in the case that this situation of a fallen walnut tree does come up, we want you to be prepared!

The strength of a walnut tree partly has to do with the genetic traits of this tree and partly with the maintenance and care of each individual walnut tree.

Typically though, walnut trees are very strong and it takes significant damage to cause a walnut tree to fall.

Walnut trees are part of a genus of about 20 different species of walnut trees. This deciduous tree may be strong and adaptable, but to what end? What has the power to topple this gentle giant?

Let’s get into the specifics of walnut trees, before we go that far, though.

What Makes A Walnut Tree A Walnut Tree?

A walnut tree is a deciduous tree, which means that it loses its leaves in the fall months to prepare for winter before regaining them again in the springtime. 

Walnut trees tend to be large, vigorous organisms with a canopy that spreads rapidly and far across. 

Perhaps the most well-known aspect of a walnut tree is its, well…walnuts. 

This nut is classified as a true nut, which means that it is a specific kind of dry fruit that contains one seed, the walnut itself, surrounded by a hard shell and a protective husk. That pretty much fits the description of a walnut, hence this classification. 

What’s more, walnuts are rich in antioxidants, help to decrease inflammation, and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. These benefits make this a very popular nut used in many common dishes found across regions and countries. 

How Strong Are Walnut Trees?

It’s great that walnuts are so beneficial, but what does this have to do with the resiliency of the tree itself? Is a walnut tree strong? If so, how strong?

These are all great questions, and very valid when it comes to defining the features of this common plant.

The wood of walnut trees is extremely durable, so no wonder it was a favorite back when people more commonly built log cabins and other styles of wood houses by hand. 

This is a good sign when it comes to the sturdiness of the tree itself, too. The black walnut can grow up to around 75 feet tall when left to grow completely in the open, so this tree is not only durable but is also a giant among its kind. 

If you want to learn more about walnut trees, check out our article Here’s How Often Walnut Trees Actually Bear Walnuts!

What Might Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall?

So, if walnut trees are so strong, what might cause this tree to fall? 

There are many factors, mostly natural ones, that can cause this. While human interference can of course topple even the tallest and strongest of trees, we know that is probably of lesser interest to you. This article is about knowing what to expect when it comes to the possibility of your tree falling, so that is what we will focus on here today.

Let’s get into it!

Storm Damage Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall

Storm damage is often an unexpected, unplanned at the least, an occurrence that can be detrimental to any plants that you have, as well as to structures, livestock, and other parts of your property. 

If a tornado comes plowing through your region, extreme winds could surely cause your walnut tree to fall. Mother nature has little regard for even the largest and most adaptable of trees. 

In a situation like this, unfortunately not much prevention is possible. Knowing that this is a possibility to expect is going to be the best preparation you can give yourself. 

Extreme Decay Caused By Infestation Or Disease Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall

This next possibility can be both prevented and remedied, in certain cases. 

As this is an example of a situation that would take place over a longer period of time, you have more agency in what happens to your tree. 

Let’s say that your tree is infested by insects. Depending on the situation you could prune certain branches, spray solutions, take preventative measures, or practice other remedial techniques. 

When it comes to disease, again, your response will depend on the disease, the severity, and how long the issue has been taking place. 

There are things you can do like general maintenance and preventative care to help curb this type of scenario before it even begins. 

While disease and infestation are not ideal, they are certainly more manageable than a natural disaster or some sort of freak storm. 

A Combination Of Situations Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall

There is always the possibility that this long-term situation like disease or infestation (or diseased caused by infestation) can lead a tree to decay and weaken. Then, when any sort of natural disaster or event occurs, the tree will not be as readily able to resist the forces of nature. 

A weakened tree is much more likely to fall in a storm than a strong, healthy, and well-maintained tree. 

So, that being said, how do you make sure your walnut tree remains one of the latter?

Sometimes, you just need to go ahead and cut down your tree. Check out our article on the 7 reasons you might need to remove your walnut tree.

How To Keep Your Walnut Tree Healthy

There are a few simple steps to follow that will ensure you are caring for your tree in a sustainable, encouraging manner. Following these steps may not save your tree from every possible accident or scenario that might occur, but it will help you to know that you have done what you can in preparing your tree to thrive for the duration of its long lifespan.

General Maintenance Of Your Walnut Tree

First, you can set your walnut tree up for success by making sure to keep an eye on it in a very general sense. Paying attention to your tree will help you to notice early on if there are signs of disease, infestation, or malnourishment in any way. 

General maintenance includes pruning your tree as needed, making sure that nothing obstructs your tree from the roots to the branches, and protecting your tree from any pests that may cause it harm. 

Especially if your walnut tree happens to be a young one, using something like this MTB Green Garden Border Folding Fence can make all the difference and ensure that nothing weakens the young exterior of your tree.

Water Your Walnut Tree

Watering your walnut tree, or any kind of tree that you might care for is a crucial and easy step to ensuring that your tree has all the possible tools for success.

An under-watered tree, just like a person or animal, is going to be extremely dehydrated and much less able to put its energy to growing taller and stronger. Instead, the focus will turn to surviving rather than thriving. 

If you’re concerned about remembering to thoroughly water your tree, you can always rely on an irrigation system such as this Flantor Drip Irrigation Kit to ensure that water is provided to your tree at regular intervals as set by you ahead of time.

If you’re interested in learning more about walnut trees, you can find more in our article 8 Differences Between Black Walnut Trees and Walnut Trees!

Fertilize To Save A Life

Fertilizing your tree is important in all scenarios, but especially when you are trying to promote growth and sustain healthy habits within your tree. 

Walnut trees tend to need a pretty nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. So, you can easily opt for an NPK 20-10-10 and know that you have made a solid choice. 

If you’re relatively new here, NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and refers to the balance of these different elements in a given type of fertilizer. 

You can easily find this kind of fertilizer online, and opting for a product like this Voluntary Purchasing Group Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food (NPK 19-8-10) can also keep you from breaking the bank!

That’s All For Today!

Alright, thanks for sticking around with us. If you do what you can to keep your walnut tree healthy and stable, hopefully, it will be less susceptible to falling during a bad storm. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that these sorts of situations are not always preventable!

Remember, we are all on this tree journey together. 

So, keep on keeping on and we’ll see you soon!

References:

Appleton, B. L., Berrier, R., Harris, R., Alleman, D., & Swanson, L. (2000). The walnut tree: allelopathic effects and tolerant plants.

Karczmarz, K. (2010). Numerical strength dynamics of Chromaphis juglandicola (Kalt. 1843) on common walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Lublin town plantings. Acta Scientirum Polonorum Hortorum Cultus, 9(4), 121-132.

McMahon, L. (2001). To a Fallen Walnut Tree. The Southern Review, 37(2), 305.

Pecan trees can be one of the easiest nut-producing trees to grow if you live in the right area and pick the right cultivar. They make beautiful shade trees and, if you water them correctly, you’ll be rewarded with enough pecans to enjoy for the entire year!

There are really only 6 steps you need to follow to plant a pecan tree. First, dig the correct size hole. Next, inspect the roots and prune if needed, place the seedling at the correct depth, and fill the hole with dirt and water.

After planting, make sure to protect the trunk and add mulch. If cared for, pecan trees can produce 50 lbs of pecans per year!

Before you dive right into planting, you will want to consider the climate you live in, the pecan cultivar you want to grow, and the best place to plant your pecan tree in your yard.

Don’t worry, we’ve got all of that info for you in this article too!

Where Exactly Do Pecan Trees Grow?

Before you set out on your journey to grow a pecan tree at home, you’ll want to make sure you live in the right area for your tree to be successful. One of the biggest factors that limits pecan tree success is temperature.

For a pecan tree to produce pecans, it needs at least 180 frost-free days and enough heat to ripen the nuts. 

The heat needed for ripening pecans, and other plants, is referred to as cooling degree days. Cooling degree days are calculated as the number of degrees the average temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  

To calculate cooling degree days, you take the average temperature for the day and subtract 65. The resulting number is your cooling degree days. 

For example, if the low is 70, and the high is 90, your average temperature is 80. Subtract 65 from 80 and you get 15 cooling degree days for that day.

Pecans require 1,000 cooling degree days for the nuts to fully ripen. 

You can use the High Plains Regional Climate Center’s interactive map to see how many cooling degree days your area receives.

Starting From Seed Vs. Seedling

You may think about simply collecting a recently fallen pecan seed to start your pecan tree journey, but there are a few things you should know.

You may see a gorgeous pecan tree that produces tons of pecans each year and assume that planting one of those pecans will give you the same results. However, with pecans, the seed can fall very far from the tree.

Pecan seeds on the same tree can be highly variable genetically, meaning nut production and quality can vary among seeds collected from a single tree.

This high level of genetic variability has led to the cultivation of over 500 cultivars of pecan trees!

Therefore, most nurseries will start with a seedling to provide root stock and graft on buds or shoots from a parent tree with the desired pecan qualities. This ensures the resulting tree provides high-quality nuts in large quantities.

Pecan trees also have some pretty serious pests which can ruin both the pecans and the tree itself. Grafting allows you to choose parent trees that are resistant to many of these pests, decreasing the amount of work required to keep the tree healthy.

You can attempt to grow your own seedling from a pecan seed, then graft it on the desired parent tree yourself, but this can be difficult. We recommend you start with a seedling that has already been grafted to ensure your pecan tree gets started on the right foot.

We also recommend you plant more than one pecan tree in your yard to ensure good pollination and pecan production.

Read more on the best time to plant pecan trees and how you should do it in our in-depth article.

Why You Need To Plant More Than One Pecan Tree

As mentioned above, pecan trees have a high level of genetic variability. This is, in part, due to pecans being dichogamous plants.

Dichogamous plants have both male and female flowers, which mature at different times. This keeps dichogamous plants from self-pollinating.

Preventing self-pollination is a survival strategy as it increases the plant population’s genetic diversity. This allows for quicker adaptation to changes such as climate and pests. 

So you need to plant multiple pecan trees, that are two different cultivars.

Here’s why: female flowers of pecan trees grow on the current year’s growth, while male flowers grow from the previous year’s growth.

Some pecan tree cultivars will produce their female flowers first while others will produce their male flowers first. That’s why pecan tree cultivars are considered either Type 1 or Type 2, based on their flowering pattern.

Type 1 pecan tree cultivars produce mature male flowers first, followed by the maturing of the female flowers. This is known as protandrous flowering.

Type 2 pecan tree cultivars produce mature female flowers first, followed by the maturing of the male flowers. This is known as protogynous flowering.

So if you have a type 1 pecan tree and a type 2 pecan tree, you will have male and female flowers present at the same time for cross-pollination, leading to a plentiful pecan harvest later!

Therefore, we recommend you plant at least 2 pecan trees on your property, and that one is a type 1 cultivar and the other is a type 2 cultivar.

Best Pecan Tree Cultivars For Your Yard (By State)

Below is a table of the recommended pecan tree cultivars to grow in each state. We also added the pollination type (1 or 2) for most of the cultivars to make the selection process easier for you!

Choosing Where To Plant Your Pecan Trees

Before you decide to plant a pecan tree in your yard, you’ll want to make sure you have enough room. Pecan trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and 70 feet wide!

Make sure you consider the size your pecan tree will ultimately be and keep it away from your house and any power lines. 

Since you’ll likely be planting more than one pecan tree, so you can have good pollination, you want to leave enough space between trees as well. The University of Georgia recommends leaving at least 60 feet between pecan trees to prevent misshapen trees and the need for pruning as they grow bigger.

By avoiding planting near structures, power lines, and other trees, you’ll ensure that your mature pecan tree will get plenty of sunlight and produce a ton of pecans!

How To Plant Your Pecan Tree Seedling

Now that you’ve decided what pecan cultivar to plant, and where to plant it, it’s time to get your new tree into the ground! It is best to plant container seedlings in the ground in the early fall from September to October.

Step 1: Digging The Hole

To start, dig a hole that is slightly larger than the container your seedling is in. 

By not digging the hole too large, you will have fewer issues with settling soil which could cause your pecan tree to be planted too deep.

You can save the soil removed from the hole to fill it back in after placing the seedling. 

Step 2: Inspecting The Roots (And Pruning If Needed)

Next, remove the seedling from the pot it has been growing in. 

If you have pot-bound roots, you will want to pull them away from the outer soil gently and prune them. Don’t prune them back to the soil. Just prune a few inches, at most, to encourage new growth.

These Fiskars Gardening Tools: Bypass Pruning Shears are the perfect tool for cutting your roots and any small branches. 

For a more in depth pruning guide as your tree grows, check out our article on pruning large trees.

Also, inspect the tap root on the bottom of the soil. If the taproot has become twisted, due to hitting the bottom of the container, you will want to straighten it out and prune off the twisted part.

Now your seedling is ready for planting!

Step 3: Placing The Seedling At The Correct Depth

This is one of the most important parts of planting your pecan seedling. You want to avoid planting the seedling too deep or it could damage the roots due to a lack of oxygen.

Gently sit your seedling in the hole to see if the surface of the seedling soil is the recommended 1 inch lower than the surface of the soil surrounding your hole.

The goal is to only add one inch of soil on top of the soil your seedling came in once the tree is fully planted. More than an inch may cause the roots to suffocate.

Once you have the hole to the correct depth, it’s time to fill it all in!

Step 4: Filling The Hole With Dirt And Water

Filling with dirt and water may sound strange, but this method avoids leaving any air pockets around the roots.

Typically, when you plant something new, you eliminate air pockets by pressing the soil down around the plant. You don’t want to do that with pecan seedlings.

Place your seedling in the center of the hole and double check the hole is the correct depth. Using a garden hose, begin filling the hole with water. 

Don’t run the water on full blast or you may disrupt the soil too much.

Once the hole is filled ½ to ¾ of the way full, you can begin pushing dirt into the hole. Keep the water running as you fill in the hole with dirt. When the water reaches the top of the hole, you can turn it off and fill in the remainder of the hole with dirt. 

Using this method allows the wet soil to fill in around the roots without creating any air pockets.

You can level out the soil around the seedling if any settling occurs, but avoid being tempted to press the soil down.

Step 5: Protect The Trunk

The trunk of your seedling will be small and delicate at this stage and needs to be protected. Young, green trunks can get sunscald or be damaged by wildlife if you don’t protect them. 

You can protect the trunk using a tree wrap, tree guard, or grow tubes. We like these EasyFlex Tree Trunk Protectors because they’re easy to install and allow for airflow around the trunk while protecting it.

Step 6: Add ‘Mulch’

Now that your pecan seedling is in the ground, you’ll want to add a layer of pine straw 4 to 6 inches deep, 6 feet around the base of your pecan seedling.

Keeping weeds and grasses from growing within 6 feet of your pecan seedling will help eliminate competition for resources such as nutrients and water. 

You don’t want other plants stealing what your pecan seedling needs to grow!

Now that you’ve successfully planted your pecan seedlings, you’ll want to keep them healthy!

You don’t need an expensive mulch for a thriving tree, in fact, you can make your own! Read our article on how to make pine needle mulch for more info.

Watering Your Pecan Tree

Watering your pecan tree is one of the most important factors to keeping your pecan tree healthy.

If you don’t provide your pecan tree with enough water during each life stage, it will not grow as well as it should. Watering helps the root system grow and helps ensure pecans develop correctly.

Pecan trees can only survive 3 weeks without water. That’s why we recommend, at a bare minimum, watering your pecan tree every two weeks to keep it alive. However, you will need more water if you want to produce good quality pecans from your tree.

Watering Young Pecan Trees

After planting, you’ll want to water it weekly with 10 to 15 gallons of water.

Continue this watering routine until your tree produces flowers.

The root system is small during the first few years of growth and must be continually supplied with water, especially during the hottest parts of the year. 

Watering Fruit Producing Pecan Trees

Once your pecan tree produces flowers, you’ll need to use the deep watering method during the growing season to stimulate root and pecan growth.

Some pecan tree cultivars will start putting on a few nuts in year 3 or 4. Most will start producing a decent amount of pecans by year 7. 

The amount of water your pecan tree gets during the production season directly affects the quality of the pecans.

 If you want to ensure you get high-quality pecans from your tree, start watering using the deep watering method during the growing season.

Deep Watering Method

Deep watering means watering the soil to a depth of three to four feet, from the trunk to three feet past the tree’s drip line. 

You’ll want to make sure you give your trees at least the equivalent of 2 inches of rain each week. On average, a sprinkler puts out 1 inch of water per hour. 

You want the watering process to be slow since most of the roots for taking in water are in the top 1-2 feet of soil. Give the water time to soak into the ground rather than watering it so quickly the water runs off.

You can achieve this either with a soaker hose, or a sprinkler. If you decide to water by hand, water from the edge of the tree’s drip line. Don’t just water it at the base of the trunk.

Deep watering should be done from around March, when the buds start to swell, until October. Frequency depends on the soil type you have in your area. 

Water every 15 to 21 days for clay soils. For loam soils, water every 14 to 18 days. For sand soils, water every 7 to 10 days.

Once the growing season ends, around October, you can scale back on watering your mature pecan tree.

Fertilizing Your Pecan Tree

Along with proper watering, fertilizing your pecan tree will provide it with the nutrients it needs for optimal growth. 

During the first June after planting, it is recommended to add one pound of 5-10-15 fertilizer in a 5-foot by 5-foot area around the tree. Make sure you don’t get the fertilizer within 12 inches of the trunk or it could cause damage to the tree. 

During the second year, it is recommended to add one pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer to the same area twice in March and June. Continue this fertilizing schedule until your pecan trees start producing flowers.

Once your pecan tree produces flowers, you’ll want to add four pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. However, don’t add over 25 pounds per tree, no matter how big the trunk is. This should be done every March.

Soon you’ll be rewarded with plenty of delicious pecans!

Harvesting The ‘Fruits’ Of Your Labor

Yes, pecans are a fruit (botanically speaking)! They are classified as drupes which have a single stone or pit in the middle surrounded by a husk. Cherries, peaches, and plums are also drupes. 

Make sure you harvest your pecans as quickly as you can once they’re on the ground. Otherwise, you may lose them to animals or rot if the ground is wet. Store them in a cool dark place for 9 to 12 months. 

To learn more on other varieties of nuts, check out our article on 4 more varieties of hard nuts you can grow.

Summary

Now you know everything about how to select and plant your own pecan tree!

As long as you choose the right cultivar for your area, and keep it watered throughout the year, you will have a bountiful crop of pecans for years to come!

References

Fronza, D., Hamann, J.J., Both, V., Anese, R.D.O. and Meyer, E.A., 2018. Pecan cultivation: general aspects. Ciência Rural, 48.

Grauke, L.J. and Thompson, T.E., 1996. Variability in pecan flowering. Fruit Varieties Journal, 50, pp.140-150.

Originally cultivated in China and Central Asia before spreading to South and West Asia, North Africa, Japan, and eventually Europe, apricots are accustomed to growing in climates where they receive plenty of sunlight every day.

But even so, you might find yourself asking questions such as “why do apricots grow best in full sun?” and “how important is it really that my apricot trees get enough sunlight?” Well – let’s talk about it!

Apricot trees need full sun in order to have enough energy to absorb nutrients and reach their full growth potential.

Full sun is incredibly important when it comes to the healthy development of flowers, which in turn are vital to the production of fruit. Plenty of sunlight is also important for fruit ripening. 

In this article, we will further expand upon these points and also give you some helpful tips and additional information in the hopes that this might help you take care of your own apricot trees. 

3 Reasons Why Apricot Trees Grow Best In Full Sunlight 

While there are plenty of reasons why apricots grow best in full sun (which in the agriculture and gardening world means getting a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis), we’ve listed here some of the more important reasons! Let’s get to it!

1. Better Overall Growth

As you likely already know, sunlight is important for all plants and trees; the process of photosynthesis that they use to produce energy, absorb nutrients, and perform many other vital functions depends upon receiving an adequate amount of sunlight. 

And while some apricot tree cultivars can adapt to grow in partial shade, for the most part the majority of apricot trees need plenty of sunlight to grow, remain healthy, and reach their maximum potential. 

Like with most trees that prefer full sun, apricot trees that get adequate sunlight typically exhibit better growth and healthier foliage in comparison to apricot trees that do not receive enough direct natural light. 

2. Development of Flowers

As mentioned above, apricot trees need plenty of direct sunlight in order to grow properly and perform key biological functions. One of these processes is the development of flowers.  

Not only are the lovely blossoms that bloom on apricot trees aesthetically pleasing with a pleasant aroma, but they are also absolutely vital when it comes to the production of fruit (something which we will discuss next). 

Apricot trees that do not receive sufficient sunlight will often not bloom correctly, which in turn will have an impact on both your tree’s aesthetic appearance (something that can indeed be disappointing, particularly if you chose your apricot tree for landscaping purposes) as well as its overall productivity in terms of fruit. 

3. Fruit Production & Ripening 

Stone fruits such as apricots are also known by the more formal botanical name – Drupes. A Drupe, by definition, is a fruit that consists of soft flesh around a hardened pit. 

Since most varieties of apricot trees are self-pollinating, you shouldn’t need to worry about fertilization when it comes to fruit production (although in some cases cross-pollination can help increase overall productivity). You do, however, need to make sure that your trees receive plenty of sunlight in order for fruit to form. 

This is because (as we stated a moment ago) you need plenty of sunlight in order for your apricot trees to bloom. And apricot flowers, in turn, are absolutely necessary for the production of fruit. 

You Need Flowers To Produce Fruit

After all, apricot fruit is only ever produced as a result of flowers blooming. The flower then transitions into the reproductive stage once sufficient pollination has occurred! In fact, botanically speaking, the pits of these stone fruits are in fact the transformed ovaries of the apricot flowers themselves. 

Therefore, if your tree never flowers or those flowers don’t develop correctly due to a lack of direct sunlight, your tree will not produce fruit properly.

Furthermore, plenty of sunlight is important for not only fruit production but also fruit ripening. If your tree is not receiving enough direct sunlight it can become stressed, which in turn can lead to the apricots themselves not ripening properly. 

However, do be aware that new apricot trees will likely not flower or produce fruit and that this is nothing to be alarmed about. New trees, particularly young saplings, can take anywhere from two to four years to begin successfully producing fruit.

Care Tips For Growing Your Own Apricot Trees: Besides Sunlight, What Else Is Important? 

While making sure that your apricot tree gets enough sunlight is undoubtedly one of the most crucial parts of not only keeping your tree healthy but also ensuring optimum fruit production, there are plenty of other factors to keep in mind as well. 

Given that, we’ve listed here for you some of our top care tips for growing and maintaining apricot trees. 

Also, check out our article about trees that can damage your home, and guess what – apricots are actually a safe choice!

Pick The Right Tree For You

We’ll be discussing this particular subject more in-depth momentarily, but to start with it’s important to understand that there are quite a few different varieties of apricot trees.

You should make sure to select the type that will do best in your climate and planting conditions – and if you need help with this, contacting a professional will be your best plan of action.

Make Sure Your Tree Gets Enough Water

One of the most common stressors for apricot trees is drought; not getting enough water can have a seriously negative impact on your tree’s overall health as well as its ability to grow and produce fruit so always do your best to ensure adequate watering. 

Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb with apricot trees is to make sure they get an inch of water weekly.

In most cases, drip irrigation is the preferred method of watering for fruit trees such as apricots because it allows you a greater level of precision while also helping to get water directly to your tree’s root zone without splashing the bark and leaves. 

Ensure Proper Drainage

While apricot trees need plenty of water to remain healthy and productive, it’s also of critical importance that the soil they reside in does not become waterlogged. Soggy soil can result in serious damage to your tree’s roots, which in turn can have a negative impact on your trees overall health and wellbeing. 

If a tree’s roots are damaged, it will not be able to absorb oxygen and key nutrients; this can result in stunted growth, wilting, and other problems that have the potential to become long-term issues if not addressed. 

If necessary, consider using a soil amendment to promote better soil drainage. 

To learn more about apricot trees and how they can grow in rocky soil – click to check out our article!

Use Specialized Fertilizers To Encourage Growth And Fruit Production 

Depending on the quality of your native soil, sometimes using a fertilizer designed for fruit trees can help encourage more robust growth while also bolstering fruit production. 

Products such as Dr. Earth 708 P Organic 9 Fruit Tree Fertilizer and Winchester Gardens Fruit and Citrus Fertilizer Spikes can be very helpful when it comes to ensuring that your apricot tree gets all the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and provide you with plenty of delicious fruit. 

Make Sure Your Tree Is Well-Established Before Allowing It To Produce Fruit

As mentioned above, young and newly planted apricot trees will typically not produce fruit for the first couple of years; they need time to mature. 

That being said, sometimes you will see trees younger than two years begin to flower in preparation for producing fruit. While you can let this occur, if your tree is still quite young it’s strongly recommended that you remove the blossoms before they fully bloom and begin the fruit formation process. 

Why Should You Remove The Blossoms Early?

This is because allowing an apricot tree to flower before it is sufficiently mature has the potential to weaken the overall health of the tree. 

The reason is that a great deal of energy and nutrients goes into the formation of flowers and fruit, which in turn can have a detrimental effect on a young tree that is not yet fully established in its environment. 

Since that energy would be more useful for foliage growth and overall development at this stage of the tree’s life, it’s better to nip those flowers in the bud (rather literally in this case!). 

If you are unsure of your tree’s age or want to verify that it is mature enough to safely bear fruit, don’t hesitate to consult with an arborist or a fruit tree specialist. 

Thin Out The Fruit If Necessary

Once your tree is fully mature and begins producing fruit, in all likelihood (and assuming your tree is healthy) your tree will begin producing a lot of fruit. 

Depending on what size you want this fruit to ultimately be, you may want to thin the fruit out as it comes in; thinning out the fruit helps to prevent overcrowding and will allow the fruit left remaining on the branches of your tree to grow larger.

Be Aware Of Your Tree’s Temperature And Dormancy Requirements 

Some varieties of apricot trees require a period of dormancy or a certain number of chilling hours before they can flower and produce fruit; likewise, sometimes certain cultivars need temperatures high enough to break dormancy and flower. 

Make sure you do your research to determine what your tree needs and when during the year to expect it to both go dormant and reawaken to bloom. 

Growing Apricot Trees Indoors: Can It Be Done? 

Many people often ask “can apricot trees be grown indoors?”. Since these trees need plenty of sunlight, it’s a perfectly reasonable question, albeit one with an answer you might not expect: yes! Apricot trees can be grown indoors!

When growing apricot trees indoors, it’s strongly recommended that you select a dwarf cultivar rather than a full-size variety.

This is because you will be growing your tree in a pot or other large container, and dwarf trees are more suited to that than full-size trees.

Additionally, there is rarely space for a full-size fruit tree in the average person’s home, making dwarf cultivars the obvious choice for that reason as well. 

For more on growing fruit indoors, check out our helpful guide of the 7 best indoor fruit trees!

That’s A Wrap!

As you can see, while there can be a bit of variation in care depending upon the specific cultivar you choose to grow, it’s very important for all types of apricot trees to get plenty of direct natural light. 

As a reminder, some reasons for why apricot trees grow best in full sun include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Better overall health and growth 
• Better flowers during blooming season (trees that do not get enough sun often don’t flower correctly)
• Better fruit productivity 
• Fruit ripens faster and more thoroughly 

Additionally, when growing your own apricot trees, it’s advisable to keep in mind the following tips:

• Select the right cultivar for your climate and region (for example, choose one of the more cold-hardy varieties if you live in an area that experiences colder temperatures)
• Plant your tree in a location where it will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day (and if growing your apricot tree indoors, place it in or near a south-facing window)
• Make sure your tree gets enough water (an inch a week is the norm)
• Ensure good drainage; waterlogged soil can cause root damage
• Give your tree the necessary time to mature before bearing fruit
• Fertilize as necessary to ensure optimal growth and encourage flower/fruit production
• If you want larger apricots, thin out the fruit so they have more space to grow on the branches
• When in doubt (or if your tree begins to do poorly without explanation) consult with an arborist. Books such as The Fruit Gardener’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Growing Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden and Backyard Fruit Production can also be a good resource for anyone looking for extra reading material on the subject of growing fruit trees such as apricots at home. 

We hope that you found this information helpful for understanding not only why full sun is important for apricot trees but also what other steps you should take to keep your own trees healthy and productive. 

References:

Person. (1995, August 18). Apricot: 20: Handbook of Fruit Science and Technology: V. M. Ghorpa. Taylor & Francis. 

Khasawneh, A. E.-R., Alsmairat, N., Othman, Y. A., Ayad, J. Y., Al-Hajaj, H., & Qrunfleh, I. M. (2022, May 26). Controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers for improving yield and fruit quality of young Apricot Trees. Scientia Horticulturae.

Ruiz, D., Campoy, J. A., & Egea, J. (2007, June 23). Chilling and heat requirements of apricot cultivars for flowering. Environmental and Experimental Botany.