Plum Tree?? Pear tree??

[dipence71]

Had for many years and is large enough to produce fruit but haven't even gotten one thing. The peach tree next to it has produces for last few years.
Why aren't they producing?
We have 3 fruit trees in a line. Pear Peach then Plum.

 

[Greenthumb18]

Had for many years and is large enough to produce fruit but haven't even gotten one thing. The peach tree next to it has produces for last few years.
Why aren't they producing?
We have 3 fruit trees in a line. Pear Peach then Plum.

You might need at least two trees of the same fruit, like 2 plum.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Greenthumb18 could very well be exactly right. Do you know the varieties of your pear and plum? Some self-pollinate but many need a different variety in bloom at the same time to pollinate. Most, if not all, peach trees self-pollinate but most self-pollinating fruit and nut trees will normally produce more if there is another varieaty around to cross-pollinate them.

 

[Greensage45]

Hi,

I have three plum trees, and it is a miracle if they flower at the same time. My first one opens far too early, even before I see green on any willows. The second one blooms just as the first one drops it's last flower. Then my last but least, slowest to wake up every spring, will flower and there is no one to cross with.

Each tree produces an abundance of flowers but they are just badly timed. I may have to resort to purchasing one more plum to catch the moments between flowering trees. Then I might get some fruit.

Good Luck,

Ron

 

[dipence71]

not sure on variety of plum or pear

Do I need the same variety of tree to get fruit? If so then I am totally screwed lol. I have NO idea what they are or how to find out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You actually need different varieties for cross-pollination. They just need to bloom at the same time.

 

[Rosalind]

You could try nectarines next to the plum if you don't want another plum. Ridgerunner is right, they just need to bloom at the same time. I'm sort of surprised the peach isn't pollinating the plum, since you're getting peaches--seems likely that the plum at least is able to pollinate the peach.

Not apricots though. Apricots bloom super-early.

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi there!

Over here (in the UK) I would plant a damson tree to help with the plum tree pollination problem.

Pears definitely need a pollinator. When you order them from a specialist nursery they will tell you which is the best variety to buy as the second tree. As you have an unknown variety you might have to buy a "family" pear tree -- ie one which has several varieties grafted on the one tree (unfortunately these are expensive).

I would try to find a local small specialist fruit nursery & call them for advice! They are generally very helpful.



:rose Hattie :rose

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi there!

If you look at this site which is a local nursery of mine (in the UK) i think it will address a lot of your problems.

http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/Index_Pear_Trees_21.html

You will see at the bottom of the page the info on "family" trees. The info might help you in talking to a nursery over there in the US.

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Edited to add more info on plum pollinators (from the same nursery).

http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/Pollination_Guide_Plums.html

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I hope it helps! GOOD LUCK!


:rose Hattie :rose

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are two types of plums, European and Japanese. The European are normally better for prunes, grow in colder climates, and are normally self-pollinating. The Japanese are sweeter and juicier, good for eating fresh. Most Japaese style plums are not self-pollinating and require another Japanese plum of a different plum variety for pollination.

The Damson is a tart plum, good for preserves. I know they have a European variety, not sure if there is a Japanese style Damson. One site I found kind of implied there was.

My guess is that your plum tree is a Japanese style since it appears to not be self-pollinating. So you would need another Japanese plum as a pollinator. I'd recommend you consider Methley. Methley is a Japanese plum that is self-pollinating but is listed as a good pollinator for several other Japanese plums. Since yours is not self-pollinating, it is not a Methley. I think it is a pretty good bet.

As for the pear trees, you have the regular pear trees and the Asian type pears. I don't know how to tell the difference, maybe from the leaves. Hopefully someone else can help. The regular pears need a regular pear to pollinate and the Asian style need another Asian style variety to pollinate. I don't have any recommendations for the pears.