Do You Need More Than One Peach Tree to Pollinate?

Peaches flower in very early spring, often when frosts still occur.

A tremendous number of different varieties (cultivars) of peach trees exist today to grow in orchards or home garden settings. Most peach trees are self-fruitful, meaning the pollen from their own flowers results in fruits later. However, some varieties are self-unfruitful and must have another peach tree nearby to provide pollen. It varies by tree cultivar and thus it's best to contact a local peach tree expert to consult about compatibility of trees that are hardy in your climate.

Types

According to Colorado State University Extension, some peach varieties are self-unfruitful. For example, J.H. Hale, Earlihale, Hal-Berta, Candoka and Mikado (June Elberta) need a nearby different peach cultivar in bloom at the same time to facilitate pollination.

Factors Affecting Pollination

Honeybees pollinate peach blossoms. If honeybees or other native bee species aren't present during flowering periods, pollination rates diminish and fruit set levels wane later in spring. If the weather around flowering time is cool and rainy, peach trees may produce fewer flowers and the inhospitable weather prevents insects from visiting blossoms. Peach trees bloom anytime from late winter to early spring. Untimely frosts kill off flower buds and open blossoms, so there are fewer flowers to pollinate or supply pollen for bees. Excessively cold winters, with temperatures below minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, destroy peach flower buds.

Nectarines

Nectarines are basically peaches that lack the familiar fuzzy skin. Therefore, nectarines have the same pollination system as peach trees. Most nectarines are self-fruitful and do not need nearby trees for cross-pollinations, but exceptions exist. Nectarines can act as pollinators for peaches. For example, the nectarine variety Nectar Babe is a good pollinator for the peach variety Honey Babe.

Insight

Contact your local cooperative extension office to speak with a university agent to discuss the pollination of your peach tree. It's helpful if you know the cultivar name of the peach you grow. The extension agent provides current information on cultivars as well as any region-specific factors, such as weather, pest or disease, that may be causing pollination or fruit set issues.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Pollination of Tree Fruits; A. Gaus and H. Larsen; 2009
• Plant Answers; Fruit Bloom Drop and Fruit and Nut Care; Jay Parsons
• "Sunset Western Garden Book"; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, editor; 2007

Resources

• Purdue University; Pollination of Fruits and Nuts; B. Rosie Lerne, et al.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Cooperative Extension System Offices