My pecans are rotting on the inside every year - Ask Extension
Hi, I have 5 pecan trees grown from twigs in around 10 or 15 years ago. They are now 25 foot tall. About 5 years ago we began getting nuts. Almost a...
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My pecans are rotting on the inside every year #929260
Asked April 22, 2026, 3:35 PM EDT
Hi, I have 5 pecan trees grown from twigs in around 10 or 15 years ago. They are now 25 foot tall. About 5 years ago we began getting nuts. Almost always the nuts are rotten on the inside and when the nut is getting larger, there is some white foam forming around the nut, I think more toward where it connected to the stem. I had pictures from last year, but my phone must have eaten them.... I can't find them. I saved some nuts, but when my wife just saw me looking for them she told me she threw them out a long time ago. Do you have any Idea what could be causing the rot, or what I should do. I have had two or three nuts that didn't seem affected, but those are very rare. I can take pictures of the trees now if that may help. I took the nuts to Nash Nursery in Laingsburg, and they said to call you guys. We live in Bath, MI.
Clinton County Michigan
Expert Response
Dear Mr. Hagy:
How frustrating to finally get nuts and then see this issues! As you might imagine, it is really difficult to diagnose issues without samples or photos and I couldn't tell you with any confidence what might be causing the issue. I did want to share with you a couple resources that I hope will help get to the bottom of this issue.
University of Missouri has a publication on potential pests and diseases at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/mp711 you can review to see if what you are observing matches any of the descriptions.
2. Provide samples and photos to our excellent MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab--they have a wealth of knowledge and testing ability to help get to the bottom of this. I know this isn't ideal as it would be great to know right now what is wrong, but without pictures or samples, I don't think we can feel confident in any diagnosis. I would suggest reaching out to the lab now and get a plan in place for this growing season. Their website is at https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ or you can contact them directly at <personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden>.
How frustrating to finally get nuts and then see this issues! As you might imagine, it is really difficult to diagnose issues without samples or photos and I couldn't tell you with any confidence what might be causing the issue. I did want to share with you a couple resources that I hope will help get to the bottom of this issue.
University of Missouri has a publication on potential pests and diseases at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/mp711 you can review to see if what you are observing matches any of the descriptions.
2. Provide samples and photos to our excellent MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab--they have a wealth of knowledge and testing ability to help get to the bottom of this. I know this isn't ideal as it would be great to know right now what is wrong, but without pictures or samples, I don't think we can feel confident in any diagnosis. I would suggest reaching out to the lab now and get a plan in place for this growing season. Their website is at https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ or you can contact them directly at <personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden>.
