What are the Most Disease Resistant Peach Trees?
In our years of growing peach trees, unfortunately we have lost some to disease. It is truly a sad moment to say goodbye to a tree you’ve cared for for many years. Therefore knowing what are the most disease resistant peach trees can help these wonderful trees survive. Although these trees are disease resistant we still recommend spraying and maintaining organic pest management practices to increase chances of survival. So here we have put together a list of 11 disease resistant peach trees to help you choose more easily. While there are many more, we chose these varieties to offer a diverse selection. Additionally one variety may only be resistant to one type of disease so consider what are the disease pressures in your area before selecting.
How to Select the Peaches
Disease resistance is only one of six factors to consider before selecting a tree. If you want to find out about these 6 factors, such as hardiness zone, read about how to select fruit trees.
11 Most Disease Resistant Peach Trees
Resistant to Bacterial Leaf Spot
Contender Peach Tree
Contender peach tree isa high-quality, consistent-cropping, yellow-fleshed freestone variety,which growers in the north prefer for its frost resistance. In fact the reason it does so well in areas with late frosts is its high chill hours of 1050 hours. Not only does the tree bear reliably and consistently, but it also has the tastiest fruits. In 2014, the American Society for Horticultural Science gave this tree the Outstanding Fruit Cultivar Award.In addition to eating the Contender peaches fresh, you can also use them for baking and canning. Moreover, the fruits won’t go brown fast.
Hardiness Zones – 4-8
Bacterial Leaf Spot – Moderate resistance
Redhaven Peach Tree
The Redhaven peach tree has become one of the world’s most commonly planted peach tree. Not only is it easy to grow, but it is also frost hardy. Additionally the fruit is large and very delicious. Redhaven peaches are renowned for their delicious, sweet, and juicy flavor. Although it has good resistance to bacterial leaf spot, it is susceptible to peach leaf curl and brown rot.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-9
- Bacterial Leaf Spot – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot – Susceptible
Flamin’ Fury® PF 19-007 Peach Tree
The Flamin’ Fury® PF 19-007 is a new favorite variety from Paul Friday’s Michigan-based breeding program which is resistant to bacterial spot. These trees produce delicious, freestone, yellow-fleshed, red blushed peaches with radiant pink flowers in the spring. Moreover these peaches will ripen 19 days after Redhaven. Since they bloom a little later, they are more tolerant of the damage from a late spring frost.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-9
- Bacterial Leaf Spot – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot – Susceptible
Coralstar® Peach Tree
Coralstar® peach tree produces large, beautiful, freestone peaches with 80% coral red fruit that matures with Loring. The flesh is firm and clear with wonderful sweet flavor. Coralstar® holds well on the tree and in the cooler and does not brown when you cut it. It ripens 12 days after Redhaven. This tree comes from the “Stellar” series which have resistance to bacterial leaf spot and canker.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-8
- Bacterial leaf spot – Resistant
- Canker – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot -Susceptible
Starfire® Peach Tree
The Starfire® peach tree has become a favorite freestone peach of commercial growers not only because of its vigor, but its excellent juicy and nectar sweet taste. These large and beautiful fruits will ripen five days after Redhaven and are perfect for deserts, canning, and freezing. Not only do they keep well, but they are also resistant to bacterial spot and canker.
- Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- Bacterial leaf spot – Resistant
- Canker – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot – Susceptible
Resistant to Brown Rot
Belle of Georgia Peach Tree
The Belle of Georgia peach tree is an old time favorite that is also disease resistant. In fact it originated in Georgia in the 1870’s. It produces delicious freestone peaches perfect not only for eating off the tree, but also for making deserts, especially a peach cobbler. Moreover these peaches will ripen in late August. When they flower, they will decorate the landscape with a bouquet of aromatic, pink/red blossoms. Lastly, it needs around 800chill hoursin order to properly set fruit.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-8
- Bacterial leaf spot – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot -Resistant
Glohaven Peach Tree
The Glohaven peach tree is the perfect peach for deserts with resistance to brown rot, browning and bacterial spot. Moreover it grows well especially in the Midwestern/Western states. Because of its resistance to browning and its lack of fuzz, it is also perfect for canning. Additionally these trees are vigorous and productive. However since they are productive, you will need to thin them in the spring in order for the fruit to develop adequately.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-8
- Bacterial leaf spot – Resistant
- Peach leaf curl – Susceptible
- Brown rot -Resistant
Resistant to Peach Leaf Curl
Early Redhaven Peach Tree
The Early Redhaven peach tree is a semi-freestone tree, ideal if you want a juicy, firm peach which ripens in the early-mid season. Originating from South Haven, Michigan, Early Redhaven is a mutation of Redhaven and ripens about two weeks before. Not only does the tree bear high quality firm fruit with a beautiful red blush, but these fruits will also be perfect for canning.Similar to Redhaven, it is resistant to bacterial leaf spot. However it is also somewhat resistant to peach leaf curl.
- Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- Bacterial leaf spot – Resistant
- Canker – Susceptible
- Peach leaf curl – Some resistance
- Brown rot – Susceptible
Frost Proof Peach Tree
The Frost Proof peach tree variety is known for its ability to withstand late frosts and freezes, which can be a significant advantage in areas with unpredictable weather patterns. Additionally these peach trees are known for their high yield and can produce large quantities of fruit.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-9
- Peach leaf curl – Resistant
- Brown rot – Susceptible
Indian Free Peach Tree
The Indian Free peach tree is a white-fleshed freestone cultivar that is known for its high-quality fruit. In fact this cultivar came from Indian Blood which people have prized for its flavor. Another advantage of the Indian Free peach tree is that it produces high-quality fruit that is both sweet and flavorful. It is also a reliable and consistent producer, which makes it a good choice for commercial growers and backyard orchardists.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-9
- Peach leaf curl – Resistant
Muir Peach Tree
The Muir peach tree is a prized heirloom variety of peach tree with incredibly sweet and delicious fruit. The flesh is yellow and juicy, with a sweet and tangy flavor that is both delicious and refreshing. Moreover the Muir peach tree is a highly productive variety, producing abundant crops of fruit each year. Consequently, it can be a good choice for those who want to grow peaches for personal consumption or for sale.
- Hardiness Zones – 5-9 (some say 6)
- Peach leaf curl – Resistant
Common Diseases for Peach Trees
What is Brown Rot?
- The signs of brown rot include brown, rotted bloom, water-soaked, sunken lesions on twigs, and brown or grey mold on fruits. Consequently, the infected fruits become uneatable.
- Causes: The fungus can overwinter in the infected twigs and fruits, especially if they stay on the tree or on the ground. Then, spores are released during rainy periods in the spring and summer. When the spores land on any wet surface of a stone fruit tree, they can infect the whole tree within 5 hours.
- Recommendations:
- Firstly, choose resistant varieties. Resistant peach varieties include Babygold No. 5, Elberta, and Glohaven.
- Secondly, be sure to prune to allow for good air circulation. Also water the tree from below so that you don’t wet the blossoms.
- You should also remove the diseased fruits and areas of infection as soon as they happen to reduce further damage. Additionally, remove fallen leaves.
- You can also use a sealer to close all the cuts and wounds.
- Lastly, you can usecopper fungicidesorsulfur powdersweekly on the infected trees starting when the blossoms are just beginning to open and continuing throughout the growing season. Moreover, it is best to 12 hours of dry weather after spraying.
What is Peach Leaf Curl?
- Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease that affects usually peach and nectarine trees. If the disease isn’t treated during the dormant season, over time the leaves will fall off and the fruit production will be much less. However don’t worry because this disease can be easily treated. The symptoms of peach leaf curl typically appear in the spring, soon after the leaves emerge from dormancy. The infected leaves may become thickened, curled, and distorted, and may turn reddish or purplish in color. As the disease progresses, the leaves may become cracked, brittle, and eventually fall off the tree.
- Causes: The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans, which infects the leaves and causes them to become distorted, reddish, and swollen.
- Recommendations:
- Thankfully, peach leaf curl can be controlled by various methods, including the use of fungicides, proper pruning and sanitation practices, and planting disease-resistant varieties. Preventative measures such as applying fungicides before the disease appears and maintaining proper moisture levels around the tree are incredibly effective.
- Pruning: Prune the infected leaves as soon as they appear and remove them from the area around the tree. This will help to prevent the fungus from spreading.
- Fungicides: Apply fungicides to the tree in the fall after leaf drop and in the spring before the buds break. Fungicides that contain copper are often effective against peach leaf curl.
- Cultural controls: Keep the area around the tree clean and free of debris. Avoid overhead irrigation, as this can spread the fungus. Maintain good air circulation around the tree by pruning it properly.
- Plant resistant varieties: Some peach varieties are resistant to peach leaf curl. Choose a resistant variety when planting a new peach tree.
- Organic remedies: Some organic remedies include spraying the tree with a solution of baking soda, soap, and water, or using a solution of neem oil and water. These remedies may not be as effective as fungicides but can be used as a preventative measure.
Canker
- Canker disease is a fungal disease that affects many fruit trees, including peach trees. The disease is caused by several types of fungi that can infect the tree’s bark, causing it to crack and split. Once the bark is damaged, the fungus can enter the tree and infect the surrounding tissue, causing the tree to weaken and potentially die.
- From April-May, oozing, light amber to dark brown gum will appear close to the infection. Then the inner bark will start to collapse. Afterwards by the second year, this collapsed area will become an elliptically shaped canker. In the following years, the bark will be damaged, malformed, and covered with a black fungal overgrowth.
- Causes: This disease is caused by the fungusLeucostoma kunzeiwhich is also present in healthy branches. However, the disease begins when the tree becomes stressed by insect feeding, snow or ice damage, drought or other factors.
- Recommendations:
- Firstly, plant cold-hardy varieties.
- Secondly, be sure to follow proper pruning maintenance.
- However be sure not to apply excessive nitrogen.
- Additionally, treat and control other pests and diseases such as brown rot and peach tree borer since these will also put stress on the tree.
- Make sure the tree is healthy so that it isn’t stressed.
What is Bacterial Leaf Spot?
- Bacterial leaf spot disease is a bacterial disease that affects many types of plants, including peach trees. The disease is caused by the bacterium Xanthom*onas campestris pv. pruni, which infects the leaves and causes small, water-soaked spots that may later turn brown or black.
- The symptoms of bacterial leaf spot on peach trees include small, dark spots on the leaves, which may enlarge and eventually cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop prematurely. In severe cases, the disease can cause defoliation and weaken the tree.
- Causes:
- Bacterial leaf spot is caused by a bacterium called Xanthom*onas campestris pv. pruni. The bacterium can infect many types of plants, including peach trees, and is often spread by wind, rain, and insects that move the bacteria from infected plants to healthy ones.
- The bacteria can survive on plant debris and in the soil, making it difficult to control. The disease is more likely to occur in warm, humid conditions, and when plants are under stress, such as from drought, over-fertilization, or other environmental factors.
- Once the bacteria infect a plant, they enter the leaves through natural openings, such as stomata, or through wounds caused by pruning, insect feeding, or other damage.
- Recommendations:
- To control bacterial leaf spot disease in peach trees, it’s important to maintain good sanitation practices, including removing infected plant debris from the area around the tree.
- Avoid overhead irrigation, as this can spread the bacteria.
- Applying copper-based fungicides may also help to control the disease, but it’s important to apply them at the first sign of infection and to reapply them regularly throughout the growing season.
- Preventative measures such as planting disease-resistant varieties, providing proper irrigation and nutrition, and avoiding over-fertilization can also help to prevent bacterial leaf spot disease from infecting peach trees.
Knowing what are the most disease resistant peach trees will help you grow the trees that are most likely to survive. If you would like to discover other disease resistant peach trees, explore our tree catalog or shop page.
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