Expert Advice >
Each type of fruit tree has its own pollination details, but there are several common principles. In general, fruit trees need a "partner" to pollinate them in order to produce fruit at all or to make good crops. You can buy a range of self-fertile fruit trees from us, but most of these varieties will still perform even better when they are pollinated.
A fruit tree can be pollinated by another fruit tree of the same type, but of a different variety, that is in flower at the same time. For example, a Cox's apple tree can be pollinated by any other apple tree that is in flower at the same time, except for another Cox.
Fruit trees need bees to pollinate them. Anything you can do to support your local bees is good for pollination.
We want to reassure you about how easy pollination is. Unless you live in a very isolated area, the chances are high that there are fruit trees in your area that are in range for pollination. This is especially true of apples, as crabapples are common ornamental trees and make excellent pollination partners.
Detailed lists of pollination partners, divided into groups to make choosing a partner easy:
Apple Trees.
Cherry Trees.
Pear Trees.
Plum, Gage, Damson, Mirabelle & Bullace Trees - These will all pollinate each other. They are all closely related trees in the genus Prunus and so they are one type of tree for pollination purposes.
Quinces, Medlars and Figs are all reliably self fertile and don't need a pollination partner.