How Many Apple Trees Do You Need for Proper Pollination?

Apple trees are not self-pollinating; there must be more than one tree to successfully grow apples.

For successful growing of apples, owners of apple trees must plant at least two trees for successful pollination. Additionally, these trees must be from at least two different cultivars (varieties).

Benefits

Apple trees are not self-pollinating; they must be pollinated either by honeybees or by hand. Close placement of two apple tree cultivars makes it easy for honeybees to pollinate both cultivars for orchard keepers.

Considerations

Some apple trees available from specialty growers feature one cultivar of apple tree grafted together with another. This is intended to make it easier for the necessary cross-pollination to occur.

Warning

Orchard keepers must carefully ensure that their selected cultivars will set pollen and bloom at the same time. If the two cultivars do not set pollen and bloom at the same time, they cannot cross-pollinate. Orchard keepers should also check to make sure there are active honeybees in the immediate area, or else they may have to hand-pollinate with a paintbrush.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Pollination of Tree Fruits
• Ohio State University: Growing Apples in the Home Orchard
• Texas A&M University Aggie Horticulture: Home Fruit Production - Apples