At Bass Pecan, we take pride in producing premium pecans rooted in generations of Southern tradition. While many people know and love pecans for their sweet, buttery taste, few realize the intensive and carefully timed process it takes to harvest them. From shaking the trees to sweeping the orchard floor, harvesting pecans is both an art and a science—and it plays a critical role in ensuring the high quality you taste in every bite.
Here’s an inside look at how pecans go from towering orchard trees to your kitchen table.
When Are Pecans Harvested?
Pecan harvest season typically begins in October and runs through December, depending on the region and the variety of pecan. In Mississippi, where Bass Pecan is based, harvest often peaks in late fall, after the nuts have had time to mature and naturally begin to drop from the trees.
According to the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, the timing of harvest is crucial. Pick too early, and the nuts won’t be fully mature. Wait too long, and you risk losses from weather, pests, or mold.
Step 1: Shaking the Trees
Once the nuts are mature, harvest begins with mechanical tree shakers. These powerful machines clamp onto the trunk or a large limb and give it a rapid, controlled shake. You’ll hear a sudden rustle and then a loud patter as thousands of pecans fall like marbles to the orchard floor. It’s a sight to see—and a sound you’ll never forget.
In the Bass Pecan video, you can see this process in action. The shaker grips the tree and in just seconds, the nuts rain down. The goal is to get as many pecans off the tree in as few shakes as possible to reduce stress on the limbs and maintain tree health for years to come.
Step 2: Sweeping and Raking
Once the pecans are on the ground, the next step is sweeping. Mechanical sweepers, which look like large rotating brushes, move through the orchard and gently push the fallen nuts into neat windrows—or lines—along the orchard rows. This step clears the ground and makes it easier for the next phase: collecting.
Some smaller growers or hobby orchards may still use manual raking to gather nuts, especially if the orchard floor is uneven or if the harvest volume is small. It’s labor-intensive but effective.
Keeping the orchard floor clean is essential. A smooth, well-maintained surface allows equipment to operate efficiently and reduces the chances of damaging the nuts or picking up excess debris.
Step 3: Picking Up Pecans
After the pecans are neatly aligned, a harvester or pickup machine moves through the windrows and collects the nuts. These machines use suction or belts to gently scoop up the pecans, separating out the bulk of leaves, twigs, and other orchard debris. The harvested pecans are loaded into large bins or wagons and hauled to the cleaning facility.
For smaller operations or backyard growers, hand tools like pecan rollers or nut harvesters are common. These work by rolling over the nuts and trapping them in wire cages—great for gathering a few buckets at a time.
Step 4: Cleaning and Drying
The raw pecans are far from ready for eating at this point. They’re dirty, mixed with bits of shell, hulls, twigs, and soil. This is where cleaning comes in.
At Bass Pecan, we use a multi-step cleaning process. First, large debris is removed using air blowers, gravity separators, and mechanical sorters. Next, pecans are washed and dried to remove remaining dirt and moisture. Drying is especially important; improperly dried pecans can develop mold or become rancid in storage.
The cleaned nuts are then graded for size and quality. High-grade pecans go on to be cracked and shelled, or packaged whole for customers who prefer to do the cracking themselves.
Quality Matters from Start to Finish
From the time the first nut falls to the moment it’s packed, every step of the harvest process affects the final flavor and texture of the pecan. That’s why attention to detail and orchard care are critical.
At Bass Pecan, we manage over a century of experience in growing top pecan varieties like Elliott, Cherryle, Jackson, and Forkert. Our trees are tended with care, and our harvesting crews are trained to protect both the nuts and the orchard for long-term sustainability.
We also monitor weather patterns, tree health, and nut development to determine the perfect time to begin harvesting. Each variety has its own schedule, and knowing when to start shaking is key to preserving the signature taste of each type.
Fun Fact: Not All Pecans Fall at Once
Contrary to popular belief, pecan trees don’t release all their nuts in one go. Different branches, and even different nuts on the same branch, may mature at slightly different times. That’s why you may see multiple rounds of shaking or harvest passes over a few weeks in a well-managed orchard.
Conclusion: From Our Trees to Your Table
The next time you crack open a pecan—or bite into a slice of pecan pie—take a moment to think about what went into getting that nut to your kitchen. Behind every handful of Bass Pecans is a story of careful timing, powerful machines, hardworking farmers, and generations of experience.
Harvest season is one of the most exciting times of the year here at Bass Pecan. It’s when the fruits of our labor—literally—come to the ground, and we begin the journey of bringing fresh, flavorful pecans to homes across the country.
Want to see it for yourself? Watch our full harvest video on YouTube and experience the sights and sounds of a pecan orchard in motion.
Interested in where we got our information for this post? We used the following sources: Georgia Pecan Growers Association and our own, Bass Pecan YouTube Video: Harvesting Pecans
