What Kind of Apple Tree Is Good to Pollinate a Golden Russet?

Self-fertility

• Unlike some apple varieties, Golden Russet trees can self-pollinate. When they pollinate themselves instead of receiving pollen from a compatible cultivar, the trees yield few fruits, with a higher seed content. According to Purdue University, self-pollinated Golden Russet trees produce fruit on about 1.5 percent of their flowers. Cross-pollination yields about 4 times as much fruit.

Flowering Times

• Only apple varieties that blossom simultaneously can be cross-pollinators. Golden Russet is a mid-season bloomer. Other common apple varieties that bloom in the middle of the season include Jonagold (Malus domestica "Jonagold,") Gala (Malus domestica "Gala") and Golden Delicious (Malus domestica "Golden Delicious"). You can also use heirloom or antique varieties such as Ashmead's Kernel (Malus domestica "Ashmead's Kernel") as pollinators for Golden Russet.

Crab Apples as Pollinators

• Home gardeners often use compatible trees that produce other favorite apple varieties to cross-pollinate golden russets because both trees will produce tasty apples. Commercial growers often use crab apples (Malus sylvestris), more favored for their flowers than their small, sour fruit, as pollinators. Crab apple trees bloom for an extended time, and can cross-pollinate various other varieties for much of the spring. If you live in a neighborhood that has been planted with ornamental crab apples, you may not need to plant an additional pollinator for your Golden Russet apple tree.

Considerations

• Golden Russet trees can produce apples in United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 6. This winter-hardy tree does best in temperate climates with moderate winters, because it requires at least 800 hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to produce fruit. Pollination partners that have been developed to grow in warmer climates may not survive well in ideal conditions for Golden Russet. Check the hardiness of the tree before planting a selected pollinator for your Golden Russet.