How to prune pecan 'elliot'

Late winter before bud break. Establish a single leader to 5–6 ft before training scaffold limbs. Choose 4–5 scaffolds with wide crotch angles spaced vertically. On bearing trees, thin selectively for light penetration and remove any dead or rubbing branches at the collar.

Annually for young trees; every 2–3 years on established bearers. Pecan 'Elliot' is a scab-resistant, smaller-nutted cultivar that still benefits from formative pruning to build a strong central leader and open canopy. Mature trees are relatively low-maintenance but should have dead, diseased, and crossing wood removed periodically. Avoid heavy pruning of bearing trees, as this diverts energy from nut production.

Establish a single leader to 5–6 ft before training scaffold limbs. Choose 4–5 scaffolds with wide crotch angles spaced vertically. On bearing trees, thin selectively for light penetration and remove any dead or rubbing branches at the collar.