Fruit Tree Pollination Checker
Find out if your fruit tree needs a pollination partner and which varieties are compatible. Select a variety to see its pollination group, compatible partners, and special requirements.
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About
How Pollination Groups Work
Fruit trees are assigned to pollination groups based on when they bloom. For successful cross-pollination:
- Choose varieties from the same group or adjacent groups
- Both trees must be within 50–100 feet of each other
- Triploid varieties need two other pollinators (their pollen is sterile)
- Self-fertile trees fruit alone but often do better with a partner
Pollination Results
Select a fruit tree variety to see pollination info
Pollination Group
Compatible Partners
Notes
You found the right partners. Now see how they fit in your garden — design your orchard visually.
Full Pollination Reference Data
For pollination context and variety notes, see the Fruit Tree Pollination Groups guide.
| Variety | Type | Pollination Type | Group | Compatible With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | ||||
| All-in-One | Almond | self fertile | — | Hall's Hardy |
| Hall's Hardy | Almond | partially self fertile | — | All-in-One |
| Apple | ||||
| Anna | Apple | needs pollinator | 1 | Dorsett Golden |
| Arkansas Black | Apple | needs pollinator | 3 | Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Liberty, Winesap, Gravenstein |
| Braeburn | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Cortland | Apple | needs pollinator | 3 | McIntosh, Empire, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Braeburn, Cosmic Crisp, Liberty, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Gravenstein |
| Cosmic Crisp | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Dorsett Golden | Apple | needs pollinator | 1 | Anna |
| Empire | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Cosmic Crisp, Liberty, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Fuji | Apple | needs pollinator | 3 | Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Liberty, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Gravenstein |
| Gala | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Golden Delicious | Apple | partially self fertile | 4 | Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Granny Smith | Apple | needs pollinator | 3 | Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady (Cripps), Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Liberty, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Gravenstein |
| Gravenstein | Apple | triploid | 2 | McIntosh, Fuji, Granny Smith, Cortland, Liberty, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Honeycrisp | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Jonagold | Apple | triploid | 3 | Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Liberty, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Gravenstein |
| Liberty | Apple | needs pollinator | 2 | McIntosh, Fuji, Granny Smith, Cortland, Gravenstein, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp |
| McIntosh | Apple | needs pollinator | 2 | Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Liberty, Gravenstein |
| Pink Lady (Cripps) | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Red Delicious | Apple | needs pollinator | 4 | Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, Cortland, Winesap, Arkansas Black |
| Winesap | Apple | triploid | 3 | Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady (Cripps), Red Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Cosmic Crisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Liberty, Arkansas Black, Gravenstein |
| Apricot | ||||
| Blenheim (Royal) | Apricot | self fertile | — | Moorpark, Harcot |
| Harcot | Apricot | self fertile | — | Moorpark, Blenheim (Royal) |
| Moorpark | Apricot | self fertile | — | Blenheim (Royal), Harcot |
| Asian Pear | ||||
| Hosui | Asian Pear | needs pollinator | — | Shinseiki, Bartlett |
| Shinseiki | Asian Pear | partially self fertile | — | Hosui, Bartlett |
| Blackberry | ||||
| Natchez | Blackberry | self fertile | — | Triple Crown, Ouachita |
| Ouachita | Blackberry | self fertile | — | Triple Crown, Natchez |
| Triple Crown | Blackberry | self fertile | — | Ouachita, Natchez |
| Blueberry | ||||
| Bluecrop | Blueberry | partially self fertile | — | Duke, Jersey, Sunshine Blue, Misty |
| Duke | Blueberry | partially self fertile | — | Bluecrop, Jersey, Sunshine Blue, Misty |
| Jersey | Blueberry | partially self fertile | — | Bluecrop, Duke, Sunshine Blue, Misty |
| Misty | Blueberry | partially self fertile | — | Bluecrop, Duke, Jersey, Sunshine Blue |
| Sunshine Blue | Blueberry | partially self fertile | — | Bluecrop, Duke, Jersey, Misty |
| Cherry (Sweet) | ||||
| Bing | Cherry (Sweet) | needs pollinator | — | Lapins, Stella, Rainier |
| Lapins | Cherry (Sweet) | self fertile | — | Bing, Rainier, Stella |
| Rainier | Cherry (Sweet) | needs pollinator | — | Bing, Lapins, Stella |
| Stella | Cherry (Sweet) | self fertile | — | Bing, Rainier, Lapins |
| Cherry (Tart) | ||||
| Montmorency | Cherry (Tart) | self fertile | — | — |
| Citrus | ||||
| Meyer Lemon | Citrus | self fertile | — | — |
| Owari Satsuma | Citrus | self fertile | — | — |
| Fig | ||||
| Brown Turkey | Fig | self fertile | — | — |
| Chicago Hardy | Fig | self fertile | — | — |
| Grape | ||||
| Concord | Grape | self fertile | — | Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Flame Seedless | Grape | self fertile | — | Concord, Thompson Seedless, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Thompson Seedless | Grape | self fertile | — | Concord, Flame Seedless, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Grape (Muscadine) | ||||
| Carlos | Grape (Muscadine) | self fertile | — | — |
| Grape (Wine) | ||||
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Grape (Wine) | self fertile | — | Concord, Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless |
| Jujube | ||||
| Lang | Jujube | needs pollinator | — | Li |
| Li | Jujube | partially self fertile | — | Lang |
| Kiwi | ||||
| Hayward (Fuzzy Kiwi) | Kiwi | needs pollinator | — | Issai (Hardy Kiwi) |
| Issai (Hardy Kiwi) | Kiwi | self fertile | — | Hayward (Fuzzy Kiwi) |
| Mulberry | ||||
| Illinois Everbearing | Mulberry | self fertile | — | Pakistan |
| Pakistan | Mulberry | self fertile | — | Illinois Everbearing |
| Nectarine | ||||
| Arctic Star | Nectarine | self fertile | — | Fantasia, Mericrest |
| Fantasia | Nectarine | self fertile | — | Arctic Star, Mericrest |
| Mericrest | Nectarine | self fertile | — | Fantasia, Arctic Star |
| Olive | ||||
| Arbequina | Olive | partially self fertile | — | Mission |
| Mission | Olive | partially self fertile | — | Arbequina |
| Pawpaw | ||||
| Pawpaw (Shenandoah) | Pawpaw | needs pollinator | — | Pawpaw (Sunflower) |
| Pawpaw (Sunflower) | Pawpaw | partially self fertile | — | Pawpaw (Shenandoah) |
| Peach | ||||
| Belle of Georgia | Peach | self fertile | — | Elberta, Redhaven, Reliance, Contender, O'Henry |
| Contender | Peach | self fertile | — | Elberta, Redhaven, Reliance, Belle of Georgia |
| Elberta | Peach | self fertile | — | Redhaven, Reliance, Contender, Belle of Georgia, O'Henry, Florida King |
| Florida King | Peach | self fertile | — | — |
| O'Henry | Peach | self fertile | — | Elberta, Redhaven, Belle of Georgia |
| Redhaven | Peach | self fertile | — | Elberta, Reliance, Contender, Belle of Georgia, O'Henry |
| Reliance | Peach | self fertile | — | Elberta, Redhaven, Contender, Belle of Georgia |
| Pear | ||||
| Bartlett | Pear | partially self fertile | — | D'Anjou, Bosc, Kieffer, Hosui, Shinseiki |
| Bosc | Pear | needs pollinator | — | Bartlett, D'Anjou, Kieffer |
| D'Anjou | Pear | needs pollinator | — | Bartlett, Bosc, Kieffer |
| Kieffer | Pear | partially self fertile | — | Bartlett, D'Anjou, Bosc |
| Pecan | ||||
| Desirable | Pecan | needs pollinator | — | Pawnee |
| Pawnee | Pecan | needs pollinator | — | Desirable |
| Persimmon (Asian) | ||||
| Fuyu | Persimmon (Asian) | self fertile | — | Hachiya |
| Hachiya | Persimmon (Asian) | self fertile | — | Fuyu |
| Persimmon (Native) | ||||
| American Persimmon | Persimmon (Native) | needs pollinator | — | — |
| Plum | ||||
| Methley | Plum | self fertile | — | Santa Rosa |
| Santa Rosa | Plum | partially self fertile | — | Methley |
| Plum (European) | ||||
| Stanley | Plum (European) | self fertile | — | — |
| Pomegranate | ||||
| Eversweet | Pomegranate | self fertile | — | Wonderful |
| Wonderful | Pomegranate | self fertile | — | Eversweet |
| Quince | ||||
| Pineapple Quince | Quince | self fertile | — | — |
| Raspberry | ||||
| Fall Gold | Raspberry | self fertile | — | Heritage, Tulameen |
| Heritage | Raspberry | self fertile | — | Tulameen, Fall Gold |
| Tulameen | Raspberry | self fertile | — | Heritage, Fall Gold |
| Walnut | ||||
| Carpathian | Walnut | partially self fertile | — | Chandler |
| Chandler | Walnut | partially self fertile | — | Carpathian |
Last updated: September 2026
How to cite: Leaftide (2026). Fruit Tree Pollination Groups & Compatibility. leaftide.com/tools/pollination-checker/. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Understanding Fruit Tree Pollination
Many fruit trees — especially apples, pears, and sweet cherries — need pollen from a different variety to produce fruit. This is called cross-pollination. A single Honeycrisp apple tree in your yard, no matter how healthy, won't produce apples without a compatible pollinator nearby.
The key factors for successful pollination are:
- Bloom time overlap — both trees must flower at the same time. This is why pollination groups matter.
- Genetic compatibility — some varieties share the same S-alleles and can't pollinate each other (common in cherries).
- Proximity — trees should be within 50–100 feet for bees to reliably transfer pollen between them.
- Viable pollen — triploid varieties produce sterile pollen and can't pollinate other trees.
Self-Fertile vs. Cross-Pollinating Fruit Trees
Self-fertile trees can set fruit with their own pollen. Most peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs, citrus, and tart cherries fall into this category. A single tree will produce a crop.
Cross-pollinating trees need pollen from a different variety. Most apples, pears, sweet cherries, and some plums require a partner. The partner must be a different variety — two Honeycrisp trees won't pollinate each other because they're genetically identical.
Partially self-fertile trees (like Golden Delicious apple or Bartlett pear) can set some fruit alone but produce significantly better crops with a pollination partner.
The Triploid Challenge
Some apple varieties — including Jonagold, Gravenstein, and Winesap — are triploid, meaning they have three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. Their pollen is sterile, so they can't pollinate other trees.
If you plant a triploid variety, you need at least two other non-triploid varieties nearby: one to pollinate the triploid, and one to pollinate the first pollinator (since the triploid can't return the favor). This means a minimum of three apple trees in your orchard.
Quick Reference: Which Fruit Trees Need Pollinators?
| Fruit Type | Needs Pollinator? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Yes (most) | Need different variety from same/adjacent pollination group |
| Pear | Yes (most) | European pears cross-pollinate each other; Asian pears too |
| Sweet Cherry | Usually | Stella and Lapins are self-fertile; Bing and Rainier need partners |
| Tart Cherry | No | Self-fertile — single tree is fine |
| Peach | No | Self-fertile — single tree produces full crop |
| Nectarine | No | Self-fertile (genetically a fuzzless peach) |
| Apricot | No | Self-fertile, but a partner can improve yield |
| Plum (Japanese) | Sometimes | Some self-fertile; can't cross with European plums |
| Plum (European) | No | Self-fertile — can't cross with Japanese plums |
| Fig | No | Common figs are self-fertile |
| Citrus | No | All citrus are self-fertile |
| Persimmon | Usually no | Asian types self-fertile; American may need male tree |
| Pawpaw | Yes | Need genetically different variety (not same cultivar) |
| Pomegranate | No | Self-fertile |
| Jujube | Sometimes | Some self-fertile; cross-pollination improves yield |
| Quince | No | Self-fertile |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need two apple trees to get fruit?
Almost always yes. Most apple varieties need pollen from a different variety to set fruit. The two trees should be from the same or adjacent pollination groups so they bloom at the same time. A few varieties like Golden Delicious are partially self-fertile but still produce better with a partner.
What is a pollination group?
A pollination group (also called a flowering group) indicates when a fruit tree blooms. Trees in the same group bloom at the same time. For successful cross-pollination, you need varieties from the same group or adjacent groups (e.g., group 3 can pollinate groups 2, 3, and 4). This ensures the flowers are open at the same time for bees to transfer pollen.
What is a triploid apple tree?
Triploid apple varieties (like Jonagold, Gravenstein, and Winesap) have three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. This means their pollen is sterile — they can receive pollen but can't donate it. You need at least two other non-triploid varieties nearby: one to pollinate the triploid, and one to pollinate the first pollinator.
Can a crabapple pollinate my apple tree?
Yes! Crabapples are excellent pollinators for apple trees. They produce abundant pollen over a long bloom period, making them reliable partners. Many ornamental crabapples work well — just make sure the bloom times overlap with your apple variety.
Are peach trees self-fertile?
Yes, nearly all peach and nectarine varieties are self-fertile. A single tree will produce fruit without a pollination partner. However, having a second peach variety nearby can sometimes improve fruit set and yield.
Can sweet cherries pollinate tart cherries?
Tart cherries (like Montmorency) are self-fertile and don't need any pollination partner. Sweet cherries are more complicated — many need a compatible partner, and some combinations are incompatible. Self-fertile sweet cherries like Stella and Lapins can pollinate any other sweet cherry variety.
How close do fruit trees need to be for pollination?
Fruit trees should ideally be within 50-100 feet of each other for reliable pollination. Bees, the primary pollinators, typically work within this range. In practice, trees within the same yard or a neighbor's nearby tree often work fine. The closer the better for consistent fruit set.
Can European pears pollinate Asian pears?
Yes, European pears (like Bartlett, Anjou, Bosc) can cross-pollinate Asian pears (like Hosui, Shinseiki) if their bloom times overlap. This is useful if you want to grow one of each type — they can serve as each other's pollination partners.
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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.