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Home fruit orchard #682668

Asked March 04, 2021, 1:38 PM EST

I am wanting to start a home orchard with a variety of fruit trees. Some of my preferred varieties are not self pollinating. If I plant two of the same tree in close proximity will they cross pollinate? Case in point, honey crisp apple and rainier cherry? I am in La Pine, zone 5. Thank you in advance.

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello in La Pine. Growing fruit trees in La Pine is a bit of a challenge. La Pine is really USDA hardiness zone 3, 4 at best. Here is a link to a publication that helps explain why it is not zone 5. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/gardening-central-oregons-climate

As far as varieties of fruit trees for the area in Central Oregon that they will bear in here is a link for that https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1622

Fruit trees often times need a pollinizer tree to pollinate. You need to cross reference your desired tree with a chart that tells you what is a pollinizer tree for your desired variety. Here is a link to some fruit trees and their pollinizers.http://treefruit.wsu.edu/orchard-management/pollination/

While you may get fruit trees to grow in La Pine, getting them to set and bear fruit is a different story. Of course, you may not be planting them for fruit. Then I would have to ask if fruit trees are the best choice?

I hope you will find answers to your questions in these linked resources. 

Toni S Replied March 04, 2021, 5:11 PM EST

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