Over the years I have noticed that many first time fruit tree planters make the common mistake of buying and planting a fruit tree that also requires a second companion tree as a pollinator. In order for many types of fruit trees to actually produce fruit, they must have a corresponding cross pollinator. I am hoping that the tips and information I offer in this article will assist people in choosing their fruit trees wisely.
Before writing out this chart, I just like to mention that often times you may not need to buy a second tree as a pollinator. Cross pollination can actually occur within a one kilometer radius. This means that within that radius there just may be another home actually growing a tree which can pollinate the tree you choose to plant. If you are prepared to wait a year, then just see what happens when your tree flowers in spring. If it drops the flowers, chances are it needs a pollinator. If it sets fruit, then your problem is solved. Somewhere out there a pollinator exists for your tree.
I can tell you that around Melbourne, peaches, apples, nectarines, plums, prunes, apricots, almonds, pears and cherries are really quite common. It is likely that cross pollinators are already around for these varieties. Perhaps not so common would be, mangoes, avocados, and kiwi-fruit. Although some varieties of these trees can be grown in Melbourne, they are not too common.
In any case, here is the cross pollination chart for the most popular varieties of fruit trees. For ease of reference, I have placed the trees in their respective pollination groups. For example, Apples in group 1 all flower at virtually the same time and so are suitable for pollinating one and other.
APPLES:
Group One
Abas, Bonza, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Lady William, Red Fuji
Group Two
Cox’s Orange Pippin, Five Crown, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Lady William, Rome Beauty, Stayman’s Winesap, Pink Lady, Gala
Group Three
Cox’s Orange Pippin, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Pomme De Neige, Pink Lady, Gala
PEARS
Group One
Josephine De Malines, Packhams, Winter Cole, Winter Nellis
Group Two
Beurre Bosce, Kosui, Nijisseki, Williams Bon Cretien
Group Three
Chojura, Hosui, Nijisseki, Shinsui, Tsu Li
CHERRIES
Group One
Burgsdorf, Chapman, Early Rivers, Ron’s Seedling
Group Two
Bedfords, Burgsdorf, Chapman, Early Lyons, Moss Early, Ron’s Seedling
Group Three
Bing, Black Boy, Florence, Napoleon, Van
Group Four
Lambert, Napoleon, St. Margaret, Williams Favourite
(Stella, Lappins, Sunburst are self-fertile)
ALMONDS
Group One
Brandis Jordan, Chellaston
Group Two
Chellaston, IXL, Johnston’s Prolific, Ne Plus Ultra
Group Three
Ne Plus Ultra, Papershell
EUROPEAN PLUMS
Group One
Angelina, Diamond, President, King Billy
Group Two
Early Orleans, Grand Duke, President
Group Three
Coes Golden Drop, Greengage, Prune D’Agen, Robe De Sergeant,
JAPANESE PLUMS
Group One
Queen Rosa, Satsuma, Santa Rosa, Ruby Blood, Elephant Heart
Group Two
Burbank, Wickson
Group Three
Mariposa, Narrabeen, Salad
Other types of fruit trees such as most peaches, apricots, quinces and nectarines are self fertile and thus do not require a pollinator to produce. This list does not encompass every variety of fruit out there, but instead covers the range you are most likely to find available in nurseries throughout Melbourne
