Creative ways to shake pecan trees?

[emmy71]

Let's hear some ways to shake pecans. We put cones on our trees made out of sheet metal to keep the squirrels out. We can't wait on the pecans to fall on their own because the squirrels will beat us to them. Dad used to have me climb the trees and shake them when I was a kid. Thirty years later, I don't think so. Used a 24 foot painters pole to reach the low limbs which worked well. Threw a broom handle into the higher limbs but that gets tiring and doesn't get many of them. Had a suggestion to tie a weight to a rope and throw across the limbs and shake but have not tried that yet. Trees are probably 40 to 50 feet tall. Suggested to dad that he eat the squirrels as they should be pretty tasty being pecan and walnut fed. He didn't go for that. Let's hear some ideas.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[jonyyuma]

You can make a vibrator that saddles your tree and vibrates, it fits the back of the tractor. there are commercial versions for back-hoes.Yes, I remember climbing the tree and jumping too.Jy.

 

[Sumpter]

Hey I know....You can get one of those old weight loss belt shakers from the 50's. Didn't work for weight loss but maybe for the trees. :laughing::laughing:

 

[SARG]

And it probably costs less than $100K.

YouTube - Pecan Tree Shaker

 

[grnspot110]

Another point on the squirrels, I had to cut our pecan (yard tree) this Fall as it had split. Found a lot of places, including some dead limbs (girdled) where the little rats had eaten the bark off the tree! Mostly in crotches, but some on the smaller limbs. ~~ grnspot110

 

[ray66v]

Flying a helicopter low over them could be an option. :thumbsup:

 

[charlz]

Big propane cannon and aim it at the tree.... your neighbors are sure to love it :thumbsup:

 

[jcato]

Get a roll of 'mason's twine' at the hardware store -- tie on a 3oz lead sinker (the teardrop shape) and toss over the limbs. Make your line about twice +10ft the height you want to reach. On the opposite end, tie on a snap-swivel and connect this to a larger line (I use 1/2" tubular nylon) again, about twice +10ft as high as the limb. Use the mason's twine to pull the heavier line over the limb. You can pretty well clean the entire limb in just a few shakes (if you time it right - when the hulls are open and dry). Leave the opposite end of your heavy line unencumbered (no knots, etc), so it makes it easy to pull off the limb when finished and not get hung up.

You can (as I have) try putting a heavier sinker (up to 16oz) on the heavy line - but it will wear you out after just a few throws. Also, the lighter sinker/line is really easy to throw (and I've reached near the top of some 70-80' trees) - and, with practice, you'll get quite good at it. A *whole* lot easier than tossing any heavy line system.

-- john.

 

[charlz]

Get a roll of 'mason's twine' at the hardware store -- tie on a 3oz lead sinker (the teardrop shape) and toss over the limbs. Make your line about twice +10ft the height you want to reach. On the opposite end, tie on a snap-swivel and connect this to a larger line (I use 1/2" tubular nylon) again, about twice +10ft as high as the limb. Use the mason's twine to pull the heavier line over the limb. You can pretty well clean the entire limb in just a few shakes (if you time it right - when the hulls are open and dry). Leave the opposite end of your heavy line unencumbered (no knots, etc), so it makes it easy to pull off the limb when finished and not get hung up.

You can (as I have) try putting a heavier sinker (up to 16oz) on the heavy line - but it will wear you out after just a few throws. Also, the lighter sinker/line is really easy to throw (and I've reached near the top of some 70-80' trees) - and, with practice, you'll get quite good at it. A *whole* lot easier than tossing any heavy line system.

-- john.

Could you shoot the line over with a mini crossbow? Might save on the arm. Not sure how much power the mini's have but probably a lot easier to cock than a full-size one.

 

[Richard]

Could you shoot the line over with a mini crossbow?

Make one of those spud launchers (PVC pipe, V05 hairspray, pizo igniter) and load the weight on top of the spud.

Might be fun as well!?!?!