Apple tree pollination is an essential part in growing sweet and crisp apple trees. This is one of the main reasons why most gardeners produce below average apples because of not knowing the importance of apple tree pollination.

Apple tree pollination or also known as allogamy is the transfer of pollens from one plant to another through vectors such as insects like bees, moths and butterflies. Through apple tree pollination, fertilization takes place. These pollens are naturally within the system of the insects which are transferred to certain plans when they fly.

How does apple tree pollination works?

Apple trees are unique in the way that does need pollinators for fertilization to occur. Apple tree pollination is a technique in inviting vectors such as bees to transfer pollens from another apple trees or a variable tree that could pollinate these apple trees.

In order for apple tree pollination to occur, insects must naturally be invited to other apple trees to pollinate. Crab-apples are best and widely used as pollinators because insects love the smell of these trees.

Because of the effects of global warming, natural apple tree pollination has been dramatically damaged. There are many significant factors why the lives of indigenous insects have totally changed. Due to over usage pesticides to kill specific insects, natural apple tree pollination is destroyed because these insects migrate to other places, leaving apple plantation to have decreased number of apple production.  Apples need bees to pollinate almost all of its trees but because of bee hunting in most honey manufacturers, bees are lessened. Other factor why apple tree pollination is damaged is the illegal logging of trees where insects used to live, urbanization in previous rural and agricultural areas and changing weather conditions.

What are alternatives to natural apple tree pollination?

One of the alternative ways in apple tree pollination is pollination management. This process aide in producing and inviting more pollinators in the assumption that pollen will transfer to these apple trees.  There are reports that using this apple tree pollination management would help in yielding more apples than what’s naturally met. This is also a way to combat declining usage of natural apple tree pollination.

Apple tree pollination management is done wherein group of apples in a certain area are surrounded with other kinds of apples such crab-apples. Since crab-apples have a high incidence of inviting more essential insects such bumblebees, mason bees and honey bees for apple tree pollination.

If you have a hard time looking for many varieties of apples in apple tree pollination management, you might want to choose other types of apples that are self-pollinating. Examples such as golden delicious, granny smith apples and braeburn are good alternatives especially if you have a very small space to put all of your apples in block and encircle with other apple trees. Special reports also studied that self-pollinating apples yield bigger and better apples but gardeners suggest that in order to produce more of these bigger and better apples, apple tree pollination using cross pollination is highly recommended.

Growing apple trees in the home garden is fun and rewarding for the home gardener. Growing apple trees is relatively easy. However, a few factors should be considered before planting apple trees. Factors of growing apple trees are as follows:

Tips for Growing Apple Trees

Rootstocks

Apple trees that are sold commercially consists of two parts. The “scion” is the top portion that branches and bears fruit and is grafted onto a “rootstock”. The type of apple is determined by the scion variety. Some rootstocks produce a full size or standard apple tree and some others produce “Dwarfing” or smaller sized apple tree.

Varieties and Pollination

The highest quality fruit is harvested when cross-pollination occurs. So, you will need to plant at lease two varieties of apple trees together in order to maximize quality fruit production. You’ll also need to make sure that all the apple varieties cannot pollinate themselves or any flowers of the same apple variety. Some varieties, such as Winesap, Mutsu, Jonagold, and Stayman, produce sterile pollen and should never be used as pollinizers. However, pollen from other varieties can be used to pollinate these pollen-sterile varieties. Remember, two trees of the same apple variety cannot be used for cross-pollination. Cross pollination is really important for growing quality apple trees and quality apples.

Soil Test

You’ll need to take a soil test prior to planting apple trees. Apple trees can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as water and nutrients are not not limiting and soil pH is adequate. You should avoid poorly-drained soild and low spots, because apple trees cannot survie if water remains standing in the root zone.

Other Considerations

Growing pple trees require full sun. So, it should be planted where the trees will not be shaded from large trees or buildings. Do not plant trees near wooded areas or streams to avoid animal damage. Prior to planting, remove weeds either manually or with an approved herbicide that will not harm the young tree. If you are planting the tree in a lawn, remove the grass from the planting area in a 4-foot diameter circle. Grass competes with young trees for available water and nutrients, can significantly reduce tree growth and productivity. You know nutrients are very important for growing quality apple trees.

Enjoy Growing Apple Trees

That’s the tips for growing apple trees.