Apple Trees

Even though some apple trees are self-fertile, all varieties should be cross-pollinated with another variety to set more fruit.

Mutsu (Crispin) and different strains of Jonagold, Winesap, Stayman, Shizuka and Arkansas Black are receptive to pollen from other apple trees that bloom at the same time, but they are not good sources for providing viable pollen to other varieties for fruit production.

In general, the early-blooming summer apples and the late-blooming varieties should not be used to pollinate each other.

Crabapples are good pollenizers for apple trees. Dolgo crabapple is often used for early-blooming apples. Prairiefire crabapple is used for mid-blooming apples. Snowdrift crabapple is used for mid- to late-blooming apple varieties.