How to Pollinate a Fuji Tree

The Fuji variety of apple tree produces dark red apples with a crisp texture and sweet flavor. Fuji apple trees are not self-fruitful, which means the tree needs pollination from another apple tree variety and a pollinator to set fruit. Without pollination, the tree will flower, but the tree will not set fruit. After pollination, the tree will have mature fruit ready to harvest in September.

Things You'll Need

• Fuji apple tree
• Good pollinator
• Bees

Instructions

1. Plant the Fuji apple tree and another variety apple tree such as an Empire, Gala, Lodi or Red Delicious within 50 feet of each other in the home garden. Jonagold and Red Gravenstein are not good pollinators for the Fuji apple tree.

2. Place a honeybee hive between the two trees if you don’t have bees in your home garden. You may have a few bees in the yard, but for good pollination, you need hundreds of bees in the yard. If you're not experienced in placing a hive, contact a professional beekeeper or garden center for assistance.

3. Avoid spraying the trees with insecticides when the flowers on the trees are in bloom, or the bees needed to pollinate the apple trees will not come near the trees. You can spray the trees after the flowers have been pollinated if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If temperatures are less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or it is windy and rainy during the time when the flowers are in bloom, the bees may not leave the hive.

References

• Washington State University: Pollination of Fruit Trees
• Aggie Horticulture: Home Fruit Production; Apples
• Apple Tree Hill: Apple Tree Pollination