I started planting apple trees in 2009. 50 trees that year, 5 varieties all on semi-D. 25 the next. 25 the next. Last year frost got the blossoms on everything except a few plum trees. This year almost every apple tree over 3 years old, including numerous ones that never had flowers before, are loaded with blossoms. I've been thinning like crazy. So, for me in central MN, it took 5 years including an extra year due to frost. I have 25 two year old honeycrisp that seem to be doing well but did not flower this year.

No, it does not need to be closer. A pollinator (a crab or other apple that flowers at the same time) anywhere in the neighborhood will work.....as long as the bees are present :-) Honey bees have a long range (a half mile or more) and any appropriate tree in the vicinity can be a pollen source. If you are relying on orchard mason bees to effect the pollination, they stay much closer to home so a closer planting is suggested. Within 100 yards (length of a football field) is a typical rule of thumb for best results.

Johnson's has a great selection, they are in Elijay and shopping with them makes a wonderful day trip. Garden*Hood carries a selection of fruit trees at various times of the year, and Farmer D's regularly has fruit trees, most often those from Johnson's nursery. Isons is another option. Mail order can be much more expensive because of postage. Johnson's does indeed usually have honeycrisp and they carry it on the appropriate root stocks - they will have it as a low spray option on semi-dwarf stock and as a spray option on dwarf.

I have bought from them befor. Good people. Here is a link that might be useful: Check out these people. They have trees that are able to grow in extreme cold climates.