If you’re nuts about nuts and you reside in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9, then you may be lucky enough to have access to picking pecans. The question is when is it time to harvest pecans? Read on to find out how to harvest pecan nuts.
When to Harvest Pecans
Statuesque and stately pecan trees begin to shed their nuts in the fall, prior to leaf drop. Depending upon the variety and climate, harvesting pecan trees takes place from late September through November. Before the nuts begin to drop, they look nothing like the finished product – light brown, dark-striped nuts. The nut forms inside a green husk that gradually browns as it dries and the nut matures. As the pecans mature, the husks begin to crack open, indicating the readiness of picking pecans. This indication is a beautiful thing for those of us that dislike heights. There is no need to climb the tree to check on the readiness of the nuts. Once the pecans are fully mature, they drop out of the husks and to the ground. This fact leads to the question of whether it is okay to harvest pecans early. Early is a relative term. The pecan husks must at least be cracking open, but yes, if you want to climb the tree and remove those that appear ready, by all means, do so. A proactive approach, such as picking from the tree, will alleviate the possibility that they lay on the ground too long. If pecans are left to linger on the ground, especially wet ground, the possibility that they may begin to rot or are carted off by birds or other wildlife increases. Once the pecans fall from the tree, provided the ground is dry, they begin to dry and cure which improves their quality. Curing increases the flavor, texture, and aroma of pecans. Wet ground darkens the seed coat and increases the fatty acid levels, leading to rancid and stale nuts. If you have an unusually warm fall, hulls can be removed from the nuts before the shells are completely brown, but it's wise to delay harvesting the pecans until the shell is fully brown to ensure that the nut is fully developed.
How to Harvest Pecan Trees
Harvesting pecans is, of course, incredibly simple if they are allowed to drop from the tree naturally. You can also encourage the nuts to drop by knocking them from the tree with a long pole or shaking the branches. The key to harvesting pecans from the ground is to pick them up as soon as possible or you are just asking for assault from ants, birds, and molds. For the most part, the hulls will drop from the pecans or remain in the tree. Some hulls (shucks) may remain stuck to the nuts, in which case they will need to be hulled. If there are many nuts with tightly stuck hulls, chances are good the nuts are not fully ripe. Once the pecans have been harvested, they need to be dried or cured before storing them. Dry them slowly-- spread out in a thin layer on a plastic sheet in an area of low light and circulating air. Stir the nuts around often to hasten the drying process and consider blowing a fan across the nuts. Depending upon conditions, drying will take between two and ten days. A properly dried pecan will have a brittle kernel and should separate easily from its exterior. Once the pecans are dried, you can extend their shelf life by refrigerating or freezing them. Whole pecans (in the shell) will store much longer than shelled nuts. Whole kernels can be stored for a year at 32 to 45 degrees F. (0-7 C.) or for two or more years at 0 degrees F. (-17 C.). Shelled pecans can be stored for a year at 32 degrees F. (0 C.) or for two or more years at 0 degrees F. (-17 C.).
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FAQs
Harvest pecans in early September through November when they have fallen from the trees. Start your harvest in 3-8 years depending on the variety and growing conditions. Watch for a substantial portion of the husks to have split and opened and the shell to turn brown before gathering.
How do you know when pecans are ready to be picked? ›
Pecans that are harvest-ready will have brown, cracked husks. The husks dry out as they age and turn from green to brown. These cracked and brown pecans will fall out of their husks and onto the ground. The pecans will begin to dry and cure if the soil is dry.
Can you eat pecans right off the tree? ›
No, you cannot eat the green nuts that fall off prematurely from the trees as they've still not ripened. Only those nuts that ripen fully by Fall (and hence ready to harvest) are worth eating as they have the rich invigorating flavor you normally associate with nuts.
What is the best way to pick up pecans? ›
Picking up pecans is quick, easy, and fun with a Bag-A-Nut Harvester. Which machine you use depends on the amount of property and trees you have. The Stab-A-Nut Pecan Harvester is great if you only have a few trees.
What month do pecans start falling? ›
Mature pecan trees will drop their nuts between September and November. Your pecans will start off with a green outer shell called a husk. As the pecans inside start to ripen, the husks will turn brown and eventually begin to crack. That's when you know the pecans will start falling soon.
Can you eat pecans right out of the shell? ›
Whether you plan to eat them plain or roasted, or are going to use them in your favorite pie recipe, before pecans are eaten, they must be shelled and cleaned.
Do you pick pecans when they are green? ›
It is important to pick up all of the green fallen pecans, this will help prevent any disease or pests from gathering on the ground. Since some of there green pecans fell early they did not have enough time to ripen on the tree, so they may taste bitter and have a sticky, soft texture when broken open.
Do you have to let pecans dry before cracking? ›
Allow the pecans to dry in the shell for a couple of weeks or so. Once the nuts are dry enough, you'll be able to break open the hulls without much effort. Rounding up, always ensure to pick your pecans during the late fall. After all, you'll be able to snap the kernels effortlessly only when the nuts ripen.
Will pecans ripen after they fall off the tree? ›
Like you, owners of pecan trees often find a sizable number of green pecans on the ground. Unfortunately, these pecans are not ripe and once off the tree will not ripen further. Within a few more weeks your pecans will be ripe enough to eat - as long as you can get to them before the squirrels.
What to do with pecans after picking? ›
Shelling after harvesting
The temperature is cool in the fall, so they are perfectly safe to sit off the wet ground and away from the hungry squirrels that can do some damage to my pecan crop. If you have a root cellar or cool, dry basem*nt, then they can be stored there as well.
Raw. Raw pecans can be eaten alone, salted, or sweetened. In savory dishes, pecans can lend a burst of rich buttery flavor. Some cooks like to candy pecans and sprinkle them on salads or pastas, especially in combination with rich cheeses like Gorgonzola and blue cheese.
Why are my pecans not edible? ›
In most cases, the nut inside a green pecan isn't edible because it hasn't had time to fully develop. You'll be able to tell if they taste bitter and have a sticky, soft texture, instead of the buttery, rich, and nutty flavor of a ripe pecan.
Do you need two pecan trees to produce nuts? ›
For pecan trees to bare nuts you will need two or more different cultivars, as they require cross pollination for maximum productivity. Pecan trees do not bear fruit until they are between the ages of four and 12 years old and that is determined by the cultivar.
How do you know pecans are ready? ›
When to Harvest. Harvest pecans in early September through November when they have fallen from the trees. Start your harvest in 3-8 years depending on the variety and growing conditions. Watch for a substantial portion of the husks to have split and opened and the shell to turn brown before gathering.
How to knock pecans out of a tree? ›
Harvesting pecans is, of course, incredibly simple if they are allowed to drop from the tree naturally. You can also encourage the nuts to drop by knocking them from the tree with a long pole or shaking the branches.
Why are my pecans turning black and falling off the tree? ›
Pecan Scab
It forms small, circular, olive-green to black spots. In more severe cases, it can also attack new twigs and even catkins. The lesions often coalesce, causing the terminals to die and the catkins to drop. Pecan tissues are most susceptible when they are young and actively growing.
How long do pecans need to dry before shelling? ›
Eating pecans everyday has several benefits from the perspective of health. However, you'll need to ensure that the nuts are thoroughly dry before shelling them. In case you've harvested the nuts before they're fully ripe, you'll have to dry them up for about two weeks before you remove them from their kernels.
What color are ripe pecans? ›
Mature pecans will have intact shells and are pale brown. A black husk is typically a sign that the pecan is rotten, and a green husk that is hard to crack often means the nut is not mature. If the nuts are ready, shaking the tree with a machine can help it to drop more nuts.
What do early pecans look like? ›
Before the nuts begin to drop, they look nothing like the finished product – light brown, dark-striped nuts. The nut forms inside a green husk that gradually browns as it dries and the nut matures. As the pecans mature, the husks begin to crack open, indicating the readiness of picking pecans.
