Fruit Tree Pollination
Photo via Pxhere
In this blog post we're going to have "the talk", discuss "the birds and the bees", you know … sex! Sexual reproduction is actually how we get fruit. Pollen is transferred from the stamen (male) to the pistil (female), and the seeds and fruit develop. Bees and other insects play a huge role in this process, but wind can be a factor too.
There are two main categories of fruit trees, self-pollinating and those that require a pollinator. Self-pollinating trees, as the name suggests, don't need another tree to complete the pollination process. Trees requiring a pollinator need a tree of a different variety to complete pollination. For example, two compatible apple trees of different varieties. Most apples, pears, plums, and sweet cherries require a pollinator pal.
Here's where things get weird. Some trees are "partially" self-fertile. They will yield some fruit by themselves, but they will do much better with a pollinator of a different variety. In fact, they might be labelled as "not self-fertile" at the nursery.
Some Planning Tips
Plant varieties within 50 feet of each other for optimal pollination.
Choose varieties that bloom in the same timeframe.
This could be a whole post by itself, but consider the difference between diploid and triploid apple trees.
Finally, the other factors to consider we've covered previously. Planting and pruning are both important factors for fruit tree success. Choosing compatible trees isn't hard especially with the aid of the internet.