Pollinator Question

[Mikael]

I plan on planning a Chinese Chestnut and a Hardy Pecan tree on my land this spring. Each needs a pollinator to bear nuts. Do I need two of each, or will they pollinate each other? I also have 5 Apple, 2 Pear, and a Hickory nut tree on my land that bears fruit and nuts, will these serve as pollinators for the new trees. I don't know any thing about gardening or planting tree. Thanks for any advice or information. Mikael

PS. I live in Zone 5/6 in WV. The zone line for 5 and 6 are very close to about where I live, so I can't really say if I'm in zone 5 or 6.

[Ross Reid]

Your apple, pear and hickory will not pollinate either the chestnut or pecan trees. Pecan trees are monoecious, that is, the male (catkin) and female flowers are borne separately at different locations on the same tree. However, the ripening of male and female flowers on a single tree has very little, if any, overlap. If your pecan tree has female flowers that ripen early you will need to obtain a different cultivar that has early ripening male flowers to obtain cross-pollination. Chinese chestnut is basically the same. Both are wind pollinated. Good luck. Ross. To email, remove the "obvious" from my address.

[Mikael]

Thanks Ross for the information. Mikael

[Steve]

Actually, there is a chance that a hickory might help pollinate a pecan. They are closely related and there are hybrids between the two. With wind pollinated trees (apples and pears need insects to get pollinated), another tree doesn't have to exist on your own property. The pollen is very fine and can travel a long way. If there are other pecans and other chestnuts in the area, you should be OK. My parents have a single Chinese Chestnut tree in the back yard. They have no idea where the next closest chestnut might be, yet they get a good crop of nuts almost every year.

Steve