Introduction

Apple trees are a favorite among fruit tree growers. They offer abundant fruit, a beautiful landscape, and shade. However, among the many questions that apple tree growers have, one that pops up time and again is whether or not planting two apple trees together is necessary. In this article, we'll address this question in detail.

The importance of cross-pollination

One of the most critical processes for fruit tree growth is pollination. It is the process by which the plant extends new life, and without pollination, the plant cannot produce fruit. Apple trees, in particular, require cross-pollination from a different apple tree variety for better fruit production.

When bees move from one apple blossom to another, they transfer pollen from one tree to the other. As a result, the fruit produced has more genetic diversity, leading to better quality and quantity of apples. In other words, when you plant two different apple varieties close to each other, the bees can help pollinate flowers between these trees, leading to higher yields.

Can you plant just one apple tree?

Yes, you can plant a single apple tree, but the tree might not yield as much fruit as you expect. Without cross-pollination, the tree may produce fruit, but the quality and quantity may be compromised. Small, underdeveloped apples may be the result of not having a nearby compatible pollinator. You may also get apples that fall off the tree prematurely or ones that are misshaped, cracked, or undersized.

What is a compatible pollinator?

A compatible pollinator is an apple tree variety that can cross-pollinate with the main apple tree. For example, if you plant the GoldRush apple tree, the best pollinator would be a different apple variety like the Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. It is important to note that not all apple trees are compatible pollinators, so make sure you do your research beforehand.

What if you only have room for one tree?

If you only have room for one apple tree, look for self-fertile apple trees. These types of trees can self-pollinate, meaning that they don't require another apple variety for pollination. Self-fertile varieties include the Granny Smith, Jonathan, and Golden Delicious, to name a few. However, while self-fertile apple trees can pollinate themselves and produce fruit, yields and quality will usually be better when a compatible pollinator is nearby.

Conclusion

Do you need to plant two apple trees together? The answer, in short, is yes, as long as you want to achieve the best quality and quantity of fruit. Cross-pollination is a key factor in apple tree growth, and without it, you may not get the results you expect. Still, if you only have room for one tree, look for self-fertile varieties, so you can still enjoy delicious apples without having to plant two trees.