Prunus persica

Peach

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
6m 5
6m 7
But depends on rootstock 9

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Bushy and rounded 3
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (38 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate to high 1

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Short-lived, sometimes only 20-25 years 17

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard tree

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Watering, formative pruning 11, mulching, protection from rabbits 12

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Watering during growing season, benefits from feeding 56
Annual pruning 5
Flowers may need protection from frosts 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer 1

Prunus persica Peach in flower with bumblebee/ Bee Happy Plants & Seeds

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits, raw or processed including canning, juicing, drying 9

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: –

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Kernel oil, edible flowers 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Full fruiting 5-6 years after planting 7

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: –

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Moderate – deep roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – survivor 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups: Likely moderate 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Mar-Apr 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Likely moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Toxic (especially young leaves, twigs, and seeds) 1731

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Host of Myzus persicae, an aphid of vegetable crops

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate to high (some varieties have improved resistance)
Susceptible to a variety of diseases, especially peach leaf curl, also honey fungus, phytophthora, replant disease, powdery mildew, silver leaf 13
High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low
Aphids and earwigs can occasionally cause problems 13
Wasps damage fruits 13
Aphids are common but do little damage 14

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate to high
Rabbits can damage young trees 14
Birds can attack fruits 14