POLLINATION OF 
FRUIT TREES 
All fruit varieties are classed as self-fruitful; partially 
self-fruitful or self-unfruitful due to poor pollen. 
As a rule, if a specie is a good pollinator for one variety, 
it is a desirable cross for any other variety of the same 
fruit family. For instance, a Delicious makes an excellent 
pollinator planted with a McIntosh or other apple varieties. 
But, a specie of one family will never pollinate a specie of 
another family, such as an apple planted with a pear tree. 
The lack of cross-pollination in a self-sterile variety, 
results in the dropping off of the young fruit and in crop 
failure. Partial self-fruitful trees may cause fruit to remain 
on the tree for a longer period of time, or even carry 
through until harvest, but poorly pollinated fruits are 
usually imperfect. In most cases a fruit tree is benefited 
by cross-pollination with another compatible sort of the 
same family. The results are better crops. Plant trees 
within a 50 ft. radius to take care of pollination distance. 
APPLE — Varieties may be classified as self-fruitful or 
self-unfruitful. General experience has been that cross- 
pollination will usually result in better crops. Cortland, 
Delicious, Rome, Yellow Delicious, Jonathan and 
Wealthy, make excellent pollinators and can be used 
to set fruit for early, medium or late varieties. 
To guide the grower whose planting must be limited, 
we have indicated by symbols, certain varieties best suited 
to your needs. 
PEARS — Nearly all common pear varieties require cross- 
pollination with the exception of a few species. All pear 
varieties bear excellent pollen and have proven effective 
pollinizers for each other. However, the Bartlett and 
Seckel varieties are inter-sterile and should never be 
planted together, unless a third variety is provided, so 
proper fertilization can occur. 
PLUMS — Vary in their needs for cross-pollination ac- 
cording to specie and variety. Our plum varieties 
represent two distinct types; namely, the European and 
Japanese. Nearly all plum varieties require cross- 
pollination to fruit. These two species do not inter- 
cross freely. Hence, it is necessary to plant at least 
two European or two Japanese sorts together to insure 
a crop of fruit. Each sort is indicated by an “E” or “J” 
to help you distinguish the European or Japanese 
species. 
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