Fruit Trees

I don't really have room in my garden for any kind of tree, let alone the ones I like, but I still get tempted by fruit trees. It would be nice to have my own apples, instead of hitting up the local orchard. But they are work and take a lot of planning. Pruining is a pain, and the idea of pollinators is rough. And I'm not talking about the bees here. I'm talking about apple-type trees that produce pollen to fertilize the apple tree that you want to bear fruit. Most apples are self-incompatible. Heck, some varieties are completely sterile. Meaning those pretty flowers you see are females that at best, produce fruit. I'm betting it is rough to find apple varieties that will produce pollen.

But luckily, that bane of lawn mowers everywhere, the crabapple can come to your rescue. It seems, that crabapples can pollinate apple trees. And do it for most apples you find in the store. Many orchards plant crabapple trees specifically to pollinate their produce. Or graft a few crabapple branches onto apple trees. Or bring in some crabapple branches.

Pear trees suffer a worse fate. It seems that bees actually prefer dandelions to pear flowers! It seems that pears don't have as much sugar in their pollen as many common weeds, so the bees aren't as attracted to them. Yikes!

Citris are a little easier, even if they can't stand the frost. Some varieties can actually pollinate themselves, with a little help. The popular houseplant varieties can make due with a little human intervention at the proper time. If you are actually up to messing with the flowers.