Can Common Apple Trees Self-Pollinate?

Self-Pollination

• Pollination occurs when pollen is moved from the anthers, the male parts of a flower, to the stigma, or female parts, of another flower. The pollen sticks to the stigma and germinates, causing a tube to grow out from the flower's style and down into the ovary. Fertilization occurs inside the ovary, which then grows seeds and fruit. Many apples require the pollen to be moved from one type of apple tree to another, so the fruit has two parents. Self-pollination means that pollen can be transferred from a flower on a single plant back to another flower on the same plant and still produce fruit, making only one parent for the fruit.

Self-Fruitful Cultivars

• A number of popular cultivars are self-pollinating. Those in cold regions can choose the "Red Rome," which grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 to 8. Those in slightly warmer regions can enjoy
  "Golden Delicious," or "Granny Smith," which are comfortable between USDA zones 5 and 8. Low-chill apples are the best choice for those with mild winters. "Anna," Ein Shemer," "Dorsett Golden" and "Earligold" all are excellent choices for those between USDA zones 5 through 9. Two self-pollinating apples can stretch all the way into USDA zone 10, needing little to no chill hours in the winter: "Gordon" and "Braeburn."

Cross-Pollination

• While self-fertile varieties can produce fruit on their own, they will produce an even heavier crop when a pollination partner is nearby. If it is not possible to plant a second apple tree, one simple solution is to cut branches that have flowered from another cultivar, such as a crabapple, and hang them on your apple tree where they are accessible to insects. A more complicated, but permanent, solution is to graft a branch of a different cultivar onto the apple tree, so it grows at least one branch with an alternative source of pollen. These techniques prevent you from having to plant an entire second tree to maximize your crop.

Helping Hand

• When self-pollinating apple trees lack fruit, it is sometimes due to lack of pollination. The majority of pollination is done by bees and butterflies. If your region is lacking these little helpers, pollinating by hand can help your fruit to set. Brush a cotton swab lightly over as many blossoms as you can reach, being sure to drag it over the anthers and stigmas. It doesn't have to be a perfect swab, but rather a simple spreading of the pollen around the tree, being sure to brush the stigmas lightly so they can grab the pollen.