Digitalseed: Pollination

Most fruit trees have perfect flowers (both male and female parts). However, a flower's own pollen may not be compatible with itself or other flowers of the same variety. With many varieties, cross-pollination will improve yields and, with some varieties, is necessary for any fruit set. These self-sterile varieties need to be planted near a second tree that acts as a cross-pollinizer. If you have limited space, multiple trees can be planted into the same hole. Some nurseries also sell trees with two or more cross-pollinating varieties grafted onto a single trunk.

Note: Since roving bees (and other pollinators) do most of the cross-pollination work, it may not be necessary to plant a cross-pollinizer if your neighbor is growing one. Check with your neighbor - it might expand your possibilities and maybe even help your neighbor's crop.

Self-fruitful	One tree of one variety growing isolated from other fruit trees will set a good crop of fruit without cross-pollination.
Semi self-fruitful	Will fruit sufficiently for the average home grower without a cross-pollinizer. For commercial yields, a cross-pollinizer is needed.
Self-sterile	Needs cross-pollination. Variety needs pollen from another variety of the same species for fertilization.

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