
Nearly all common varieties of apricot, peach, nectarine and sour cherry are self-pollinating. Other fruit trees, like most apple, plum, sweet cherry and pears are cross-pollinating or self-unfruitful. They need another tree for pollination, and not just one of the same variety, but a different variety of the same fruit.
Do citrus trees pollinate each other?
Some citrus trees of different species can pollinate each other. This will not affect the fruit, but planting the seeds can lead to new hybrid fruits (or no fruit at all.)
Do all fruit trees need a pollinator?
Most apricot, peach, nectarine, citrus, fig, persimmon, quince, and sour cherry trees can pollinate themselves (they are "self-fruiful"), although additional trees can improve yield. Skip ahead to the section on pollination. Most apple, plum, pear, and sweet cherry trees require a second cultivar...
Do cherry trees need another tree for pollination?
They need another tree for pollination, and not just one of the same variety, but a different variety of the same fruit. For example, most sweet cherries must be pollinated with compatible sweet cherry trees.
How does pollination take place in fruit trees?
1 Most fruit trees require pollination between two or more trees for fruit to set. 2 Pollination occurs when the trees blossom. 3 Pollen from the anthers (the male part of the plant) has to be transferred to the stigma (the female part of the plant). ... 4 Pollination can be performed by birds, wind or insects. ...

Can two different fruit trees cross-pollinate?
Fruit trees that require cross pollination by another variety are self-unfruitful. In this case, pollen from the same variety is not capable of reaching the unfertilized seed or ovule within the flower.
Can different fruit trees be planted next to each other?
Variety selection Most fruit trees grow best with at least two different varieties planted. The varieties should bloom at roughly the same time in spring and have pollen that's compatible. Check fruit tree catalogs for the varieties that pollinate each other.
Can you pollinate an apple tree with a pear tree?
It is best to pollinate fruit trees of the same genus with each other — apples with apples, or pears with pears — but pears can cross-pollinate with apples, as long as both trees bloom at the same time.
Can apple and cherry trees pollinate each other?
Apples and sweet cherries definitely need cross-pollination and so do sour cherries which, although they are considered self compatible, to benefit by the movement of pollen by bees in the wind.
Can apple and peach trees be planted together?
You can plant apples alongside peaches, because they have similar growing requirements. Dwarf varieties should be spaced about 8 feet apart, semi-dwarf about 12 feet apart and standard at least 15 feet apart.
Can you plant plum and peach trees together?
A Good Couple Since both types of fruits require similar soils and environment, they can easily be planted near each other in the same yard. Plum trees are generally a bit taller than peaches, so be sure that they are planted where the peach's access to sunlight won't be hindered as the trees grow.
Can a peach tree pollinate a plum tree?
Fruits do not cross-pollinate outside of their own species. For example, stone fruits (peaches, plums, apples and apricots) do not pollinate one another.
Can a plum tree pollinate an apple?
Pollination of Fruit Trees So a Discovery won't pollinate another Discovery, but there are other apple varieties that will. And no apple will pollinate a pear or a cherry or a plum, irrespective of variety. There is one important detail: the two trees must be in flower at about the same time.
What fruit trees do not need cross-pollination?
Self-pollinating fruit trees include apricots, nectarines, peaches, and sour cherries; whereas fruit trees that require pollinators include apples, pears, plums, and sweet cherries.
Can you plant a pear tree next to an apple tree?
Planting apple or pear trees close together will benefit the trees and not take up as much space in your yard. Most can be planted about 18 inches apart. Most apple and pear trees require a second, compatible tree for cross-pollination, so make sure you know if your tree will need one, and the suitable companion tree.
Can blueberries pollinate apple trees?
Some fruit trees and shrubs cannot pollinate themselves, or if they can, then it's not highly effective. In this case, a different variety must be planted nearby to ensure a large harvest of fruits. Plants that generally require a pollinator are blueberries, pears, apples, plums and sweet cherries.
How many peach trees do you need to pollinate?
Do You Need Two Peach Trees for Fruit? Many types of fruit trees, such as apples and pears, need two different varieties growing close to each other for proper fertilization. Peaches are self-fertile, which means that a single tree, with the presence of adequate insect pollinators, can pollinate itself.
What Are Some Examples of Cross-Pollination?
What are some examples of plants that use cross pollination?
How far should a tree be from a pollinator?
If you are growing a large number of trees, plan the placement of your pollinating tree. Each main crop tree should be within 100 feet (30.5m) of a pollinator, and preferably within 50–75 ft (15–23m). The optimal placement can rely on many complex factors, including climate and crop management practices.
How to attract bees to fruit trees?
1. Plant flowers to attract bees. Almost all fruit trees require bees to spread their pollen, even self-fruitful trees. You can plant additional flowers to encourage wild bees and other pollinating insects to visit your garden: Plant flowers that bloom at the same time as your fruit trees.
Why should pollinators open their flowers earlier?
In an orchard, the pollinator should open its flowers slightly earlier, so the pollen is already available when the main crop begins to bloom. While the blooming time should overlap, try to find a species with a different fruiting time. This allows for a longer harvest season. ...
How to attract bees to your garden?
Grow flowering plants native to your area, which are more likely to attract native bees. Focus on flowers with one ring of petals, which have more accessible nectar than flowers with multiple layers of petals. ...
How many types of genetic material do flowering plants produce?
This article has been viewed 28,279 times. Learn more... With rare exceptions, flowering plants produce two types of genetic material. Pollen contains the male genetic information, and must reach the female portion of the plant in order to create a new generation of fruit.
What flowers attract bees?
Plant flowers of different colors, sizes, and heights to attract a diverse array of pollinators. Blue, purple, and yellow flowers tend to be more effective. Grow flowering plants native to your area, which are more likely to attract native bees.
Do apple trees have pollen?
Some fruit trees, mostly certain apple cultivars, have sterile pollen. If you started with a sterile cultivar, the new companion tree will pollinate the sterile tree, but will not bear fruit itself. Plant a third tree if you want the second tree to fruit as well.
Stone fruits - can different species pollinate eachother?
Can different types of stone fruit pollinate each other? I mean, for example, if you have an apricot tree and a sweet cherry tree, is it possible the cherry tree may be able to form fruit? Before about a month ago, I would have assumed the answer was obviously no. But now I have come to the realization that I am not absolutely sure about this.
Comments (9)
If you look at a sweet cherry pollination chart, the only reason it is so complicated is because different cherry varieties blossom at different times, and in the case of Bing, Lambert, and Royal Ann, these three particular varieties are too closely genetically related to each other to be capable of cross-pollinating.
Why do trees need pollination?
Pollination is necessary for fruit production. Fruits are the result of the reproduction process for plants. Some trees have both the male and female elements, while others do not. Self-fertile trees are able to produce fruit completely on their own. Partially self-fertile trees can produce on their own, but perform much better with a pollination partner. Self-sterile trees cannot produce any fruit without a partner tree. Knowing which of these types your tree is will determine whether you need to use two cultivars.
How to determine the best cross pollinator?
Pollination Assists. To determine the the best cross-pollinator, you must match bloom times. Partially self-fertile and self-sterile plums rely on winds and insects to transfer pollen from one flower to another. If blooms are open at different times, this transfer cannot happen.
What are some examples of self-fertile plums?
The majority of European plums are self-fertile. Two examples are "Stanley," hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, and "Blue Damson," hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Japanese plums, conversely, are almost all self-sterile, with a handful of partially self-fertile exceptions. These plums require less chilling time over the winter and prefer the slightly warmer conditions. "Santa Rosa," and "Burbank" mix well together and perform within USDA 5 through 9 zones. "Ozark Premier," is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 10 and is pollinated well by "Shiro," which is limited to the USDA zones 5 through 9. As long as the trees are spaced 12 to 18 feet apart and bloom times match, pollination should be successful.
What are the different types of plum trees?
The two main types of plum trees are European (Prunus Domestica), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10, depending on cultivar, and Japanese (Prunus Salicina), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. depending on cultivar.
Can plum trees cross pollinate?
Plum trees (Prunus spp.) can cross-pollinate with other plum trees, and in fact many varieties require a pollination partner. As with any fruit, choosing the correct partner is essential to produce a good fruit set. It is a wise idea to select two different varieties of plums. Many cultivars that are not self-pollinating cannot pollinate ...
Is a Japanese plum self-fertile?
Two examples are "Stanley," hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, and "Blue Damson," hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Japanese plums, conversely, are almost all self-sterile, with a handful of partially self-fertile exceptions. These plums require less chilling time over the winter and prefer the slightly warmer conditions.
Can you pollinate plums from two different trees?
It is a wise idea to select two different varieties of plums. Many cultivars that are not self-pollinating cannot pollinate a second tree of the same cultivar. Plums are generally hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10, depending on the species and cultivar or variety.
