Pecan workshop covers grafting, budding

By Tara McKnight

CEA- Hort.

Texas Cooperative Extension

Wichita County

It is once again time for the Pecan Budding and Grafting Classroom. The classroom will be on April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Extension office. The office is located on 6th and Scott in the Courthouse Annex building on the second floor. You will need to enter through the metal door on 6th Street and come upstairs. The classroom will cover the techniques used for budding and grafting pecan trees. The cost is $1 plus a can of food. The food will be donated to the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. The second class is scheduled for April 20 at 6 p.m. This class will be a hands on practice of budding and grafting. The location of this class will be announced at the classroom on the April 17. The cost for this is also $1 plus a can of food. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning how to bud and graft pecan trees.

Here are some questions that have come into the office.

Q: What do you do about nuisance squirrels?

A: Making trees, attics and buildings squirrel-proof is a permanent solution to the problem. Squirrels usually gain entrance to attics and other structures from the roof, especially if tree limbs overlap the roof line. This can be solved by trimming tree limbs back at least 8 to 10 feet from the roof. If this is not possible, sheet metal bands can be placed around the trunks of the trees to discourage squirrels from climbing them. The bands should be about 2 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet from the ground.

Live traps can be used to reduce local squirrel populations or to remove individual squirrels from an attic. Effective baits include fruit, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.

At the present time, there are no toxicants, fumigants or repellents registered for use against tree squirrels in Texas.

Q: What can I spray with to keep snakes out of my flower beds?

A: There are currently no toxicants, repellents or fumigants for the control of snakes. If the presence of snakes is undesirable, removing their shelter is one of the most effective ways of discouraging them. Eliminating rock piles, brush piles, tall grass, etc. will cause snakes to seek a more suitable habitat. Lumber, wood piles and other debris around the home should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground. Controlling insect and rodent populations in the area also will help to discourage snakes by eliminating their food supply.

Q: Rabbits are eating my flowers and vegetables. What can you do?

A: Modifying the habitat to make it less attractive to rabbits is often an effective method of control. The removal of brush piles, weedy patches, rock or lumber piles, etc., will sometimes cause rabbits to leave in search of more suitable habitat. This method is especially effective in suburban areas, where less suitable habitat is available.

Rabbits can be excluded from an area by constructing a rabbit- proof fence. A fence of woven wire or two-inch poultry netting, 2 to 3 feet high, can be placed around gardens, flower beds or other places where protection is needed. The bottom of the fence should be buried in the ground at least 6 inches to prevent rabbits from digging under the fence.

The use of live traps can be an effective way to remove cottontails. The traps should be placed where the rabbits are feeding or resting. Corn cobs, dried leafy alfalfa and clover are good cold-weather baits. Apples, carrots, lettuce and cabbage are good baits to use during the warmer months.

Several repellents are registered for rabbit control, and sometimes cause rabbits to stay away. Most of these are applied to the area where the damage is occurring. Repellents are usually available from garden supply centers, feed stores and hardware stores.

Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our County Extension office, 716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents.

Date: 5/25/06

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