Magness is pollen-sterile, thus requiring a pollinator. The male flowers are three-branched catkins produced on last year s wood. The pollen is carried by the wind to the female flowers, borne in clusters on the current season s growth. Wet weather during the pollination period may reduce dissemination of pollen. A good plan is to leave a few native pecan trees in the vicinity of the pecan grove to furnish additional pollen.
Some native trees bear their pollen early and some late.
May. The tip ends of the nutlets turn brown and harden immediately after they are pollinized or their receptive period has passed. If the female flower fails to receive pollen, it usually turns yellow and falls to the ground within a week or so. Approximately 75 percent of the small nut drop that usually occurs in June or about six weeks after the pollination period is a result of the female flowers not becoming fertilized. There is no evidence of cross-incompatibility in varieties tested. The problem develops because the male and female flowers do not mature at the same time.