When it comes to producing peaches, having two peach trees can be beneficial but not always necessary. Most peach trees are self-pollinating, meaning they have both male and female reproductive parts and can produce fruit without needing another tree’s pollen. This is great news for home gardeners who may only have space for one peach tree.
Self-pollinating peach trees are capable of pollinating themselves, as long as the pollen from the male parts of the flower reaches the female parts. However, having another peach tree of a different variety nearby can improve the fruit-set. This is because cross-pollination, where pollen is transferred from one variety to another, can increase the chances of successful fertilization and fruit formation.
Having a second peach tree within 100 feet of the first tree can provide a different source of pollen and increase the likelihood of cross-pollination. This is especially important if the first tree has poor-quality pollen or if there are environmental factors, such as cool or wet weather, that may hinder pollination.
At Stark Bro’s, a reputable nursery specializing in fruit trees, most of their peach tree varieties are self-pollinating. This means that you can expect your mature peach tree to bear fruit without requiring another variety’s pollen. However, they still recommend having a different peach variety nearby to potentially improve fruit-set.
In my personal experience, I have seen self-pollinating peach trees produce abundant fruit without the presence of another peach tree nearby. However, I have also noticed that when a different peach variety was planted within close proximity, there was an increased number of peaches and a more diverse selection of flavors.
To summarize, while it is not always necessary to have two peach trees to produce peaches, having another peach tree of a different variety nearby can improve fruit-set and potentially enhance the overall harvest. Self-pollinating peach trees can bear fruit on their own, but cross-pollination can be beneficial for optimal fruit production.
