Are Apple Trees Self-Pollinating?

Apple trees shouldn't self-pollinate.

Apple trees are classified as cross-pollinating trees. This means they need the pollen from a different apple tree in order to produce fruit. While some apple trees can self-pollinate, it is not recommended for a good fruit yield.

Identification

Self-pollinating plants have the stamen and the pistil, the male and female parts of the flower that produce pollen and produce ovum. Bees go from one flower to another, taking pollen from one and depositing it in the pistil of the next.

Function

According to the University of Missouri, for the best fruit, the king blossom should be pollinated with pollen from another tree. This is the largest and first blossom to open.

Types

Some species of apple tree are listed as self-fruitful, according to the University of Missouri. This includes the Golden Delicious species, Gala apples, Rome apples and Empire apples. However, they will produce more and better fruit if cross-pollinated.

References

• University of Missouri: Pollinating Fruit Crops

Resources

• Cornell: Empire Apple