The Importance of Pollination
Some fruit trees and shrubs cannot pollinate themselves, or if they can, then it's not highly effective. In this case, a different variety must be planted nearby to ensure a large harvest of fruits. Plants that generally require a pollinator are blueberries, pears, apples, plums and sweet cherries.
Other fruit trees and shrubs are self-pollinating and do not require another variety to produce a large crop of fruits. Nearly all strawberry, raspberry, grape, blackberry, peach, nectarine, sour cherry, and apricot varieties are self-fruitful. In this case, no second pollinizing plant is needed.
Timing
When a fruit tree can't pollinate itself you need to partner it with another, different variety that blooms at the same time.
Spacing
Apple - The pollinator partner for semi-dwarf trees should be planted no more than 50 feet (15 meters) away. If you have a dwarf tree, then plant the two varieties less than 20 feet (6 meters) apart.
Blueberry - Plant a different variety tree no more than six feet (2 meters) apart.
Pear - Plant a different variety tree no more than 100 feet (30 meters) apart.
Maturity
Apple - Produces fruit two to five years after planting.
Blueberry – Produces fruit two to three years after planting.
Pear - Produces fruit four to six years after planting.
Apples –
When in doubt of which variety to plant, most white-flowering crabapple trees are a great pollinator for any apple tree.
Pro Tip: Triploid (three chromosomes) apples have sterile pollen that will not pollinate other trees. You should plant at least two different non-triploid varieties when growing a triploid apple. Triploid (sterile) varieties include: 'Arkansas Black', 'Jonagold', 'Liberty', 'Lodi', 'Spartan' and 'Winesap'.
Blueberries –
Half-High (Vaccinium corymbosum x angustifolium) – Best for the Upper Midwest, regions with exceptionally cold climates.
Northern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) - Best for eastern and northeastern United States with cooler climates.
Southern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum x darrowii) – Best for regions with mild winters and higher average temperatures.
Rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) – Best for southeastern United States with long, hot summers.
Pears –
European (Pyrus communis) – These trees produce sweet, juicy fruits that are the traditional pear shape.
Asian (Pyrus pyrifolia) – The types of fruit produced by these trees are round and crisp (similar to an apple).
