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I've been debating putting in a commercial pecan orchard. Would be in Southeast Texas, annual rainfall about 45-50 inches most years,and probably only about 10 days a year below freezing.

Here's what's holding me back:

1) part of the land will get periodic flooding every year or two, nothing too deep but the creek will get out of the banks for a day or so with 6 to 8 inches water before it runs off. This happens about every 2 years or so. Any varieties of pecan that I should stay away from due to this or is this part of the field just not worth planting? There are some native hickory in this part that seem to do ok even with the flooding.

2) I'm undecided on irrigation. there's a well that could be rigged over to irrigation but I'm thinking with our annual rainfall that it would only be needed a month or two in the summer most years. So leaning towards using a water truck to water during those two months rather than investing in a more permanent system. Any drawbacks other than labor to doing it that way?

2) start up costs is an issue. land's free and clear currently and would rather not put a mortgage on it that would have to be serviced for 5-10 years before money starts coming in. Intend to eventually do about 60-80 acres but don't have the cash to do it all at once. Any real downside other than yield would be staggered/spread out to planting 10 acres a year until its all done ?

Is the area/soil conducive to growing pecan trees there?

I haven't ran any soil tests yet but I think the upper portion is based on the native trees growing there, the lower portion I don't know, I'm afraid it may be a little too wet

Don't plant all the same variety. Some pecan trees yield better in certain years than others, so you need to plant multiple varieties to smooth out your yield.

Check out Bass Pecan. That is where I got my grafted trees from.

This is where we got our trees, also.

Kellywk, you need to study up on Type I and Type II trees plus the pollination periods for each variety of tree. There are pollination charts that will help explain this. Also study up on pecan diseases that might be in your area, pest, etc.

We planted 8 trees in the backyard this past Dec. and our main concern was Scabs. We dont have the resources or equipment to spray trees, so we chose scab resistant varieties.

This is the first time I've fooled with pecan trees, so I'm a novice, but we're trying.

Stink bugs/shield bugs are a problem here. They also are a problem in my tomatoes. Lots of stuff won't kill them, so if you have them where you are, you have to be specific on what you spray them with. miles

Mine are in the ground two years now.

Last year's rain about killed them.

In truth, they are no different than they were when I put them in the ground. Maybe a bit more puny.

Here's the pecan developed across the county road and down a little from my place here,

http://pecanbreeding.uga.edu/cultivars/barton/barton.html

"Uncle Johnny" Barton as everyone here called him was quite an eccentric fellow! He would make his own clothes when he found fabric at the dime store he liked! He was a neat old guy. Miss them old folks.
Another big pecan family here, The Berdolls, bought a big part of the old Rogers place between Barton's bottom and my place. Runs all way to Wilbarger creek. They have put in a BIG pecan orchard in this bottom. I can see their trees from my front porch.