How to prune pecan 'sumner'

Late winter before bud break (February–early March). Train a central leader to 6 ft before allowing lateral scaffolds. Space scaffold limbs 18–24 inches apart with crotch angles above 45°. On mature trees, thin the upper canopy every few years, remove water sprouts, and cut out any dead or diseased wood back to healthy tissue.

Annually while young; every 2–3 years on mature trees. Pecan 'Sumner' is a large-nut cultivar that benefits from early structural pruning to support heavy crops without limb breakage. Establish a strong central leader and wide-angled scaffold branches. Mature trees should be thinned periodically to maintain good light penetration and reduce alternate bearing. Remove dead or broken limbs promptly.

Train a central leader to 6 ft before allowing lateral scaffolds. Space scaffold limbs 18–24 inches apart with crotch angles above 45°. On mature trees, thin the upper canopy every few years, remove water sprouts, and cut out any dead or diseased wood back to healthy tissue.