With the arrival of long sunny days & time spent in the garden, one question that arises time and time again is ‘How many fruit trees do I need to plant and what’s required to ensure they bear fruit’? Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and a Professor in the Horticulture Apprenticeship program at Humber College is here to answer your questions and explain a little bit about cross-pollination & why this is essential for any fruit tree owner!
Watch our latest video on youtube to learn more or scroll to continue reading.
Thumbnail image with link to ‘Why Cross-Pollination is Essential for Fruit Trees ’ video on our youtube channel.
Understanding Cross-Pollination
To yield fruit, you must plant two different varieties of the same fruit tree. For instance, with apple trees, two different apple varieties are required for cross pollination by beneficial insects and / or bees.
Cross pollination occurs when pollen from one flower’s male reproductive organ (the stamen) fertilizes another flower’s female reproductive organ (the pistil) of the same species. This process is crucial for fertilization and the production of fruit and seed, enhancing genetic diversity and overall plant health.
The Exception: Combination Trees
One exception to the rule of planting multiple fruit trees is the creation of combination trees. These trees feature various varieties of the same fruit grafted on the same trunk together. For example, a combination apple tree may include branches of gala, pink lady, honeycrisp, and fuji apples. This allows cross pollination to occur, and combination fruit trees are generally smaller growing around 10-15 ft in height, and like any other fruit tree, require full sun.
It’s important to note that combination fruit trees available at Royal City Nursery are NOT GMO.
Hardy Fruit Trees:
Southern Ontario’s climate favors the growth of several hardy fruit tree varieties, including Apples, Pears, Plums and Cherries. Here’s a glimpse of what’s available in-store this season at Royal City Nursery (May 2024)
🍎Apples:
🍐Pears:
Remember to plant two or more for fruit!
🍒 Cherries:
With sour cherries you just need ONE tree to produce fruit. Sour cherries pollinate your sweet cherry varieties. If you are looking for just sweet cherry trees, you need to be planting two or more for cross-pollination.
🌸 Plums:
Italian or prune plums require ONE tree to produce fruit. Japanese varieties will require two.
Tanya’s Top Tips
To ensure a bountiful harvest, understanding cross-pollination and its role in fruit tree cultivation is key. Whether opting for planting two or more varieties or choosing combination trees, the key lies in planting with purpose and care.
Our selection of fruit trees is now available to shop in our tree yard (May 2024). Our team of experts are always happy to help you pick out the perfect tree(s) for your garden & landscape. We look forward to seeing you.
About Tanya Olsen:
Tanya is a third-generation garden centre owner and landscape designer.
Teaches Horticulture Apprenticeship at Humber College in Ontario, Canada.
Has a weekly segment on CTV news.
Has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
YWCA Woman of Distinction.
About Royal City Nursery:
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
