Pecan planting trends in Georgia

Abstract

Georgia is the largest pecan (Carya illinoinensis) producing state in the United States, accounting for ≈30% of national production. Georgia's pecan acreage has undergone at least three significant expansions since the industry's establishment in the early 1900s. The most recent expansion was likely a result of recent price increases driven by the export market for pecans. This stimulus also led to the planting of additional pecan acreage throughout the pecan growing regions of the United States. A survey of pecan producers throughout Georgia was conducted from Jan. through Mar. 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 regarding the planting of pecan trees. The current survey documents the planting of 391,488 pecan trees and 15,328 additional pecan acres since 2010 in Georgia. New orchard plantings averaged 40, 35, 42, and 62 acres in size for 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. The state's pecan producers planted 14 to 30 different pecan cultivars, depending on the survey year. Aside from nongrafted seedling trees planted in 2010, 'Desirable' and 'Pawnee' accounted for the highest percentage of trees planted annually until 2014, both in percentage of total trees planted and percentage of producers planting trees. The survey also indicates a shift toward the planting of pecan trees at higher density by Georgia pecan producers since 2010.