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Ryan Bruss
over 3 years ago • Seattle

Apple Tree Pollenation

Does anyone know if Honeycrisp and Fuji apple trees will pollenate each other?
7 replies
over 3 years ago
You know who will know this one are the folks at Pipers Orchard .. it's an apple orchard here in town ... located in Carkeek Park ... and under normal circumstances, sponsors an annual Festival of Fruit ... which features mainly apples (FWIW this is a totally fun event for kids).

Anyways, they have a map of which types of apple trees they grow, and information on "Gardening Guidance" .. specifically "Guild Planting", which is either what you're looking for, or closely related to it.

The fruit festival has a honeybee expert, who gives a presentation at the FF (I forget his name) ... you could ask for a referral to him ... he'll definitely know (he keeps his own bees and is highly knowledgeable in this area).

For more information
Email: [email protected]
Visit: pipersorchard.org
carkeekpark.org/event/12th-...
over 3 years ago
I have two different apple trees and they cross pollinate although I am not sure about your specific varieties. A tip though: When they blossom I help the process along by dusting my fingers on one and spreading the pollen to the other. It has also taken a few years for them to start regularly producing.
over 3 years ago
Buy Mason bees and you won’t have to worry about it
over 3 years ago
Marston Gould I'm planning on building a bee hotel nearby the trees
over 3 years ago
That’s great. Honey bees and bumbles typically won’t pollinate trees. Mason and American bees will. Masons are usually spring bees. So most are already moving back into hibernation. Remember to give them both a water and mud source.
over 3 years ago
They do pollinate each other. Some growers recommending planting a Crab Apple tree in between apple trees as bees love them and it helps pollination all around. Here's a cool link that you can check for all sorts of information on fruit trees
orangepippintrees.com/polli...
over 3 years ago
Thank you Susan Stocker!!! That's a super helpful resource.
over 3 years ago