Q We want to plant a new apple tree – will our neighbours’ trees work as pollinators?
Christine Southan Churchill, Gothenburg, Sweden
A
BOB SAYS For successful pollination, most apple trees need another one nearby that flowers at the same time. They should roughly be in sight of each other. When choosing a variety, it helps to know your neighbours’ varieties. If theirs already crop well, then those varieties will do likewise for you. However, I suggest you plant new trees as far as convenient from your neighbours’ trees, as older trees carry pests and diseases and cause root competition if too close. You say your garden is in a windy location near the sea. This will only suit certain varieties, so it might be a good idea to seek out a traditional local apple variety.