Some apples are self-fertile (or partially so) which simply means they can produce fruit without a pollination partner i.e. a companion apple tree. However, most apple cultivars need a companion tree close by to provide cross-pollination to ensure good fruiting. In urban areas pollination of apple trees is seldom a problem. The popularity of apples ensures there will be plenty of pollination partners in your neighbourhood that the bees will easily find. As a general rule good cross-pollination will occurs between apple varieties that flower and fruit around the same time. The chart below suggests suitable pollination partners but there are many more to choose from. To make it easy the following apples can generally be relied upon as good pollination partners:- Braeburn, Gala, Egremont Russet, Golden Delicious, Splendour. The Crab Apple Golden Hornet is also a very good companion tree for Apples.

Triploid Apples are the exception to the rule as they carry an extra set of chromosomes (3 rather than 2) and they require 2 pollination partners as per the chart below.