Apple
Golden Delicious Pollination Guide
Golden Delicious can set some fruit on its own, but produces significantly better crops with a pollination partner.
While Golden Delicious has some ability to self-pollinate, you'll get noticeably larger harvests and better fruit quality with a compatible variety planted nearby. For the best results, plant one of the recommended partners within 50–100 feet.
Golden Delicious Quick Facts
Chill Hours
700 hours
Hardiness Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Harvest
September to October
Bloom Time
late season
Pollination Note
One of the best universal apple pollinators
Planning Your Orchard
For reliable Golden Delicious crops, plant at least one compatible apple variety within 50–100 feet. Choose a partner from the same pollination group (4) or an adjacent group (3–5). Golden Delicious is an excellent universal pollinator. Crabapples also work well if bloom times overlap. Space trees 15–25 feet apart for standard rootstock, or 8–12 feet for dwarf.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Compatible Pollination Partners
Can I Grow Golden Delicious?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Golden Delicious. Enter your zip code for an instant answer.
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About Golden Delicious
Golden Delicious is the versatile workhorse of the apple world — sweet, mellow, and excellent for fresh eating, baking, and sauce. It's also one of the best pollinators for other apple varieties.
Growing Challenges
Skin is prone to russeting and bruising; flavor becomes bland if harvested too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pollinator for Golden Delicious?
The best pollinators for Golden Delicious are varieties in pollination group 4 or adjacent groups that bloom at the same time. Top choices include Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Cortland. Golden Delicious is also an excellent universal pollinator for most apple varieties.
Can a crabapple pollinate Golden Delicious?
Yes, crabapples are excellent pollinators for Golden Delicious as long as their bloom times overlap. Ornamental crabapples produce abundant pollen and are a great option if you want a pollinator that also adds spring beauty to your landscape.
How close does a pollinator need to be to Golden Delicious?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Golden Delicious. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Golden Delicious tree?
You can, but you'll get significantly better harvests with a compatible partner nearby. Golden Delicious is partially self-fertile — it will set some fruit alone, but cross-pollination dramatically improves yield and fruit quality.
Other Apple Varieties
Anna
200 chill hrs · Zones 8–10
Arkansas Black
800 chill hrs · Zones 5–9
Braeburn
700 chill hrs · Zones 5–9
Cortland
800 chill hrs · Zones 3–7
Cosmic Crisp
800 chill hrs · Zones 5–8
Dorsett Golden
100 chill hrs · Zones 8–10
Empire
800 chill hrs · Zones 4–7
Fuji
400 chill hrs · Zones 5–9
Gala
500 chill hrs · Zones 4–9
Granny Smith
400 chill hrs · Zones 5–9
Gravenstein
700 chill hrs · Zones 4–8
Honeycrisp
800 chill hrs · Zones 3–8
Jonagold
700 chill hrs · Zones 5–8
Liberty
800 chill hrs · Zones 4–8
McIntosh
900 chill hrs · Zones 3–7
Pink Lady (Cripps)
400 chill hrs · Zones 5–9
Red Delicious
700 chill hrs · Zones 4–8
Winesap
800 chill hrs · Zones 5–8
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Golden Delicious?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.