In order for your fruit trees and shrubs to grow delicious apples, pears, and blueberries, they need to be pollinated. Pollination occurs when trees flower and pollen is transferred from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part (the stigma or the ovule). Many types of trees and shrubs are considered self-pollinating, or self-fruitful, which means they can be pollinated with their own pollen. Other types of trees, especially the edible fruit bearing ones, require cross-pollination. Cross-pollination is when pollen is transferred from one variety of plant to another variety of the same type of plant. For example, a Macoun apple tree will pollinate Cortland apple tree, and vice versa.
Cross-pollination is made possible by insects, primary bees. It’s important to not plant your trees too far away from each other. To ensure bees will reach both trees, we recommend planting trees no further than 100 feet apart.
At the nursery we carry many varieties of fruiting trees and shrubs. Here are some of the pollination needs of our most popular fruits.
Apples:
Two varieties are necessary for cross-pollination.
Pears:
Two varieties are necessary for cross-pollination.
Cherries:
Most require two varieties for cross-pollination. Sweet cherries will pollinate other sweet cherries. Sour cherries are self-pollinating, but more than one tree will help in creating more fruits. Sour cherries will not pollinate sweet cherries.
Peaches:
Peaches are self-pollinating, so only one variety is required. However, more fruit will set with more than one tree.
Plums:
Most require two varieties for cross-pollination. American and Japanese plums are compatible for pollination. European type plums will only pollinate other European type plums.
Raspberries and Blackberries:
No cross-pollination required.
Blueberries:
Two varieties are required for cross-pollination. There are three different types of blueberries: early fruiting, mid-season fruiting and late fruiting. When picking your varieties, make sure that the bloom time is compatible. An early and a mid can cross-pollinate, and a mid and a late and cross pollinate, but an early with a late are less likely to successfully cross-pollinate.
This is not a complete list of the all the plants we carry that require cross-pollination. If you have any questions, feel free to email info@odonals.com or stop by the nursery to talk with one of our many experts!
