Learning the latest management news on Texas’ state tree will be the focus of the Big Country Pecan Short Course to be conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Taylor County from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. March 26.

The site for the meeting will be the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County located at 1982 Lytle Way on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center.

“When you think of the most-loved trees in West Texas, pecans invariably top the list,” said Melissa Sturdivant, AgriLife Extension horticulturist in Taylor County. “And depending on your end goals and the varieties you have, they can involve as little or as much management as you care to devote to them.

"With spring just around the corner, now is the ideal time to learn the latest on the best-management practices out there. So whether you have a commercial orchard or a single yard tree, this program should top your spring to-do list.”

Topics and speakers will include:

– Site Selection and Best Varieties for West Central Texas, Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulturist and pecan specialist, Uvalde.

– Pruning and Management of Pecan Trees, John Begnaud, AgriLife Extension horticulturist (retired), San Angelo.

– Nutrient Management of Pecan Trees, Stein.

– Grafting Demonstration, Larry Don Womack and crew, Womack Nursery, DeLeon.

– Marketing Aspects for Pecan Producers, Mendy Shugart, Texas Department of Agriculture of Anson, and Womack.

– Pecan Management Products, Ralph Porter, Dow AgroSciences, Abilene.

– Diseases and Control Options, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension pecan specialist, College Station.

– Common Pests and Management Options, Bill Ree, AgriLife Extension entomologist, College Station.

– Local Issues: Monitoring and Trap Programs, Sturdivant.

– A total of 6.25 continuing education units will be offered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Seven credits will be offered by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and the International Society of Arboriculture. The number of Texas Department of Agriculture Structural credits is still to be determined.

– Individual pre-registration by March 24 is $20 and $35 thereafter. The fee covers educational materials and lunch.

– For more information or to pre-register call the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County at 325-672-6048.