GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Fruits that need pollination partners

If there is no fruit on your newly-planted tree this year, it may be because it needs a pollinating partner. Many modern varieties don’t need partners, but most crop more heavily when given pollination partners which are in flower at the same time. The Conference pear, for example, will produce banana-shaped fruits on its own, but will bear improved pear-shaped fruits when cross pollinated. Cherries are difficult, but the newer varieties are less so, and on new dwarfing stocks you can fit in a pair where previously only one would go. As a rule, pears and apples need partners, although there are so many apple trees around that we can often get away with not planting partners ourselves. Often, you may find a close neighbour’s tree will cross-pollinate with yours, without you having to invest in a second tree. Nearly all soft fruits are self-fertile, although a mixed group always crops more heavily than the same amount of just one variety. Buddying up is often the way to go when it comes to buying fruit trees.