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Apricot Trees #741289

Asked March 28, 2021, 9:03 PM EDT

Many years back, I put two apricot trees in my back yard. A few years ago, one got shaded out by neighboring trees and died. I have no idea what apricot I need to plant since I originaly planted a Sunglow and a Moonglow. I do not know which of the two survived. I know I need two separate species. Do you have any suggestions? Regards, Jeffrey W Johnston

Pierce County Wisconsin

Expert Response

Hello - We think that you may have Sungold or Moongold, rather than Sunglow or Moonglow.  Sungold and Moongold are hardy enough to survive and produce reliably in Minnesota.

Sungold and Moongold will pollenize each other. Other options may include Westcott and Scout.  See https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-4/apricot-trees-for-zone-4.htm for information about growing apricots in Zone 4, and note that we should never plant apricot trees in shaded areas, as fruiting trees need full sunlight in order to produce fruit.  

Diane M Replied March 31, 2021, 9:16 AM EDT

Here is an additional response from an expert at the University of Minnesota.  I had asked for help in answering your question, and here is a response.  Hopefully, this is helpful for you.

Since the grower doesn't know which tree died, I would recommend one of two things:

  1. Plant both a 'Moongold' and a 'Sungold', OR...
  2. Plant a different cultivar all together. Some cultivars we recommend include 'Westcot', 'Scout', 'Pioneer', 'Debbie's Gold', and 'Harcot'.

Historically, UMN has always recommended 'Moongold' and 'Sungold' be planted together as pollen partners because the cultivars were developed together, are both self-unfruitful, and have been shown to successfully pollenize each other. When the cultivars were introduced back in 1960, however, researchers indicated that other apricot cultivars probably work as well, though subsequent cross-pollination trials have been inconclusive. Most other cultivars are self-fruitful, so the grower would at least get fruit on their new tree if not both. If it were me and I only had room for one more tree, I would choose one of the other cultivars I mentioned above. 'Westcot' is highly regarded among cold-hardy apricot growers.
Here's a quote from the cultivar introduction article from Dec.1960:
"These varieties are not self-fruitful, so each one requires a pollinizer. Limited tests of cross-pollination indicate that each of these may serve as pollinizer for the other. It is recommended, therefore, that the two varieties always be planted together unless there are other apricot trees to supply the pollination needs."

Diane M Replied April 06, 2021, 5:17 PM EDT

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