As pecan growers in the southeastern U.S. face challenges like low sunlight, disease pressure, alternate bearing, and increasingly severe storms, many are turning to a proven strategy which relies heavily on topping (cutting the tree height) and hedging (pruning the sides). This mechanical approach isn't new—it's standard in western pecan regions—but recent research from the University of Georgia shows it's a game-changer for their humid, low-light environment. TOL Topping