Well, as far as I know (among other options), you can induce sterility by both the environment (from preventing them from flowering to hormones) and the creation of hibrids by genetic assessment. In genetics, there are piles and piles of books that talk about the infertility of hibrids that change from 2x to 3x.

In case of not hybrids, there is known that domestication and the narrowing of the gene pool can cause damages in pollination/seed formation processes.

I think the methods are: induction of polyploidy, interspecific hybridization, and mutagenesis.  

Assuming this is not a question about genetic manipulation:  ABA is a plant hormone inducing plant sterility - depending on method of application, the specific tree, season and concentration. Search Google Scholar for "ABA commercial analogs sterility".