Question
I am interested in planting an apple tree in Bernal Heights. I have heard Anna's and Dorsett Golden do well. I have also heard that most apple trees need a second tree to pollinate. What do you think of planting grafted trees (two types of apple on one root stock)? Are they strong enough? Do they develop problems later? There are crab apple trees about 100' from my house. Would they be pollinizers? Thank you so much for your help!
Lori
San Francisco
Answer
There are self pollinating apples that will do well in your neighborhood. They are Yellow Transparent, Fuji, Red Fuji and Golden Delicious. They are also low chill varieties. If you are interested in a tree that has more than one variety, the best form is an espalier. It is sometimes the case that one of the varieties fails on a multi-grafted tree. A single trunk form would look lopsided whereas an espalier would still retain its shape. A new arm could be produced from a side branch of the variety above or below it. Crabapples can indeed help pollinate fruit apples.
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